Sensational
would be an understatement to the job done by Roy Hodgson and his coaching
staff to keep Crystal Palace in the Premier League. The eagles soared to safety
despite losing their opening 7 games of the season. Roy Hodgson ignited the
entire football club something which Frank De Boer couldn’t do. The players
were playing as team and for the fans with Selhurst Park rocking for much of
the season constantly making it a difficult place to go as many teams including
Chelsea found out. However, Roy Hodgson and the Palace fans will hope they can
do much better this season and avoid the relegation battle entirely. Roy Hodgson
will certainly be aiming for a better season overall and a potential top 10
finish which isn’t out of Palace’s remit.
Roy Hodgson
transformed Palace’s playing style making them solid defensively and dangerous
on the counter attack with glimpses of intricate, lovely passing football.
There is a really good balance of different players at Palace and Hodgson has created implemented a style suited to all the players at his disposal. Palace’s solid foundation was built on the solid defensive partnership between
Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins making Palace difficult to break down. However,
solid performances from Joel Ward and Patrick Van Aanholt also allowed Palace
to have consistency in defence with latter contributing significantly further up
the pitch. However, it is role of Luka Milivojevic which was unnoticed by many
other clubs, but the Palace fans adore the solid Serbian in their midfield
making significant contributions across all areas of the pitch and more crucially
finished as Palace’s top scorer. However, his defensive work was also brilliant
in Palace’s resurrection. Despite this, Crystal Palace wouldn’t be where they
are without the brilliant Wilfried Zaha. He has endless talent which was never
witnessed by Manchester United, but everything clicks for him at Crystal Palace
and he has certainly got better as each season passes by. He is the spark in
this Palace side and he is adored by all associated with the club and Zaha has
the same affection in return which makes them a match made in heaven. However,
with interest from the bigger clubs, Crystal Palace will have difficulty trying
to keep him at the club. Hodgson certainly built his team around the exciting
winger and even played his in the number 9 role at times during the season but despite
Zaha, playing at times in an unconventional role, he dragged Palace towards
safety in style.
The
transfer window is certainly an important period for every football club and
Crystal
Palace are no different with signings needed for Palace to remain competitive
in the league. Roy Hodgson will certainly want to boost his forward line as to
lift the weight off Zaha’s shoulders. Goal shortages for the likes off
Christian Benteke, Alexander Sorloth and injuries for Connor Wickham left Palace
severely short of goals and Hodgson will desperate to sign a regular goal scorer
in his team. Also, Hodgson will certainly look to strengthen Palace’s midfield
following Yohan Cabaye and Bakary Sako decisions to depart the club and the conclusion off Ruben Loftus-Cheek's loan. Hodgson
will certainly need some creativity in his midfield with other potential departures
on the horizon with interest in Andros Townsend but I’m confident Roy Hodgson
will have targets lined up to strengthen his Palace squad with experienced
goalkeeper Vicente Guaita already signed. In addition, Roy Hodgson will look for
players willing to play for the shirt, fans and the team itself because this is
the ideals Hodgson has installed since he became Palace boss. He will be
determined to get the club he supported and watched as a young man away from
danger and challenging for a top half finish, but he will need players who
share his philosophies and want to succeed as much as he does.
Crystal Palace
are in safe hands with a fan as their manager and they will want to build on
the success of survival with another spirited team who want to do better week
in week out. The palace fans are magnificent and will support their team
whatever direction their team’s season heads in. Crystal Palace have stability
and a confidence around the whole club and the eagles will hope to soar once
again in the new season.
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