29 December 2023 , 13:30
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Roy Hodgson has admitted Crystal Palace’s results have not been good enough - but insists he will turn it round.
Palace boss Hodgson is under increasing pressure at Selhurst Park and another setback against Brentford this weekend would make it nine games without a win. Hodgson is experienced enough to know those sort of disastrous runs can plummet a club into relegation danger and could end with the manager getting sacked.
Palace, who are just three points above the drop zone, could look at alternative options with former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper and ex-Wolves chief Julen Lopetegui available. But Hodgson insists that recent performances have been better than results and if the club are patient then they will finish the season strongly.
Hodgson said: “It’s a bit of a deja vu situation for me at the moment because after the games I find it hard to really accept too much criticism for the team’s performances. But, on the other hand, I’m talking to people (journalists) who are making a judgment from the result backwards and the results have been poor.
“Until such times, we can get some better results, I will have to accept that. But I would be more concerned if the team was playing badly and more concerned if we didn’t have the Michael Olises and the Eberechi Ezes to come back and help us out of this situation.”
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Incredibly, Palace have scored fewer goals at home - just eight this season - than any other Premier League team. But Hodgson believes the goals will follow and backed Palace fans to continue their unwavering support to help the club climb the table because he admitted they are looking for better than a fight against relegation.
Hodgson, whose last four games have seen them draw with Manchester City and Brighton while suffering late defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool, added: “I feel we have goals in us, I really do. But time will tell and of course the answer to those questions is really open to debate.
Roy Hodgson was frustrated after Crystal Palace suffered a late defeat at Chelsea (Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)“Some people will say they don’t see us scoring many goals with the way we play, or the players we have on the field, others will say we do. I’m in that latter category. I think we will score goals, if everybody is fit and on song.
“Let’s be fair, there is a gap in the Premier League. There is a difference between the Man Citys and the Liverpools, the Chelseas and the Brightons really. They are the ones who are supposed to be up there in Europe.
“We still are in a situation at the club where avoiding relegation has got to be the main concern. I think we can do better than that. But it is a different level, if you like, and I think to go out like we’ve done in the last four games and give such a good account of ourselves against top opponents that should give me heart.
"The crowd will get behind the team I’m quite sure. They know how important it is for us now, we’ve got to start picking up some points from somewhere and I know they’ll be behind the team because that’s who they are.
“ Crystal Palace fans are famous for the atmosphere. Look at it at Chelsea. I seem to have to heard more from our fans - maybe I’m biased - but I thought our fans were every bit as loud as theirs throughout the game. Maybe louder.”