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I notice that there were no requests for assistance with this crossword. I imagine that this was so because the majority of readers just gave up. The setter presented clues that were so opaque and so abstruse that at times, even when reaching the correct answer it was very difficult or even impossible to reconcile it with the clue.
The objective of the setter should be to give the readers a fair, and even difficult, challenge and not to bamboozle them with impenetrable clues.

Don't do this crossword but would be interested to see one of the clues that you have issues with

Across
1. One who shuts up having caught out failure (5)
4. Second team getting food before minor fixture (4-5)
9. Finished potential holder for piece in pad (9)
10. Major disturbance caused by EU stepping out of line about a king (5)
11. Securing non-European terminal, army invades abandoned island (7,8)
12. Puts up rafter, not all of it as above (2,5)
14. Strict unopened communication about the setter (7)
16. Yorkshire village wife’s put in a very little amount when pressure's off (7)
19. Brief role: a small boy is showing off (7)
21. Cause of misapprehension of coalition — one pulls out (7,8)
23. African fascist changing direction (5)
24. Girl rudely interrupted by Dutch artist and jazz musician (9)
25. Dogs also found in Jewish villages, not the first time (9)
26. Pastoral feature of Russia, in short (5)
Down
1. Trap undermining flashy gossip (9)
2. Leader in Strictly now appearing in extremely prestigious balls (7)
3. Man from Armagh regularly holding record (5)
4. Run over side, almost, clutching extremely big sail (2,2,3)
5. Announcement of instrument to rule European republic (7)
6. Remove question for head of maths in term (9)
7. Concerned with a foreign airline that’s brought up alcohol (4,3)
8. Handle an old wit, the last to be promoted (5)
13. Narrow glass container, mostly pink around interior (9)
15. Basic lease isn't up for renewal (9)
17. Attorney stopping payment as a measure of power? (7)
18. I for one ring back, say, before noon (7)
19. Supporters wrongfully blocking standard entrance to stadium (7)
20. Old engineer's design left during communist revolt (7)
21. No time for toast — it's water you may find here (5)
22. Drug found in meal, but not initially (5)

Thanks brackendale (I think !)..

I managed about half of this yesterday. I thought it was tough but I didn't feel it was unfair.

It was certainly tough, but do-able.
I prefer them that way.

This was at the tougher end of the Times spectrum but not unusually so. There was nothing questionable in the parsing that I can see, nor were there any issues raised on the Times_xwd_Times site (where a detailed analysis is available). We have all come across puzzles beyond our level of experience and ability but those are the ones you learn most from.

I completed both yesterdays and today's crosswords. 26514 was reasonably difficult but very fair, in my opinion,but I still think 26513 was decidedly opaque in some of the clues. Take a look at 25 Across:
Dogs also found in Jewish villages, not the first time. I guessed the answer from the letters I already had but I still haven't reconciled it to the clue. Anyone need help with today's ( 26514 ) just let me know!

The Jewish villages are shtetls.
Not the first time.
Sh(t)etls
Also is "and"
Shetlands for dogs.

Rusty, apologies for not replying sooner but I haven't been logged on. Thank you for the explanation. I didn't know that Jewish villages are called shtetls. You have raised my knowledge in that matter and I thank you for taking the time to respond. Setanta 1.