WHERE EAGLES FLARE
Roy admits knives will be out if Palace can’t cut it against Blades
UNDER-FIRE Roy Hodgson fears Crystal Palace fans will turn on him and his players if they fail to beat bottom club Sheffield United tonight.
Furious Eagles supporters unfurled a banner (below) during the recent 5-0 humbling at Arsenal criticising the direction of the club under Hodgson, and defeat at home by the Premier League’s bottom club will almost certainly trigger more unrest.
The Blades, who have picked just two points away from Bramall Lane this season, will fancy their chances against a Palace side whose confidence is at rock-bottom.
Some might describe it as a relegation six-pointer but boss Hodgson, who will welcome back Michael Olise to his squad after injury, insists the game is no more important than any other Premier League match.
“There is pressure on everybody at the club whenever you get a protest from the fans, it was an important statement and it hit home,” said Hodgson.
“I think we always put pressure on ourselves but you can argue there is extra pressure and starting games well is always important.
“In the 1,500-odd games I have had I have said in each team meeting how important it is to start well, to start on the front foot, and how important it is to get our tactics right from the beginning. Just because we have lost a game and there is a fan protest doesn’t mean you can’t push that message even harder.
“But we understand there is a nervousness, a tension, about the place and the fans will be nervous and tense. The fans want to get behind us and help us on to victory like they have done so many times in the past.
“If that is not happening and we are not close to the victory or, God forbid, even losing, they are going to feel that pressure.”
Palace are set to complete the signing of Colombian right-back Daniel Munoz. But Hodgson confirmed Kalvin Phillips (right) turned down a move to south London in favour of joining
West Ham on loan from Manchester City. “We did think a player like him would be perfect to step in for Cheick Doucoure,” said Hodgson. “Phillips became impossible for us once West Ham showed their hand. He wanted to go there and we have to accept that.”
Hodgson said Olise’s return is a welcome boost but admits he must bring the France Under-21 international back slowly following two serious hamstring injuries this season.
“We have to be careful, the sports science people are urging caution, but we’ll see,” he said.
“I don’t have any concerns myself, but we will have to keep an eye on it because it’s quite a long time since he played his last game.”
Palace, who won 1-0 at Bramall Lane on the opening weekend of the season, are five points above the drop zone but are on a terrible run. They have won only one of their last 10 Premier League matches.