How Sam turned the Palace tide
JUST over eight weeks ago, Crystal Palace looked doomed as they trudged off after losing 1-0 at Stoke City.
They were 19th in the Premier League with just four points from manager Sam Allardyce’s first eight games. But after crushing Arsenal 3-0 on Monday, Palace’s fifth win in six, they are 16th, six points clear of the drop zone with a game in hand.
Sportsmail looks at the secrets behind Big Sam’s revival... THE LOWEST TIME AT half-time in the 4-0 home defeat by Sunderland in early February, one furious Palace fan confronted defender Damien Delaney. Selhurst Park had become toxic.
Palace had won only four of their previous 22 Premier League home games so Allardyce went old- school, hauling his players in at 7am the next day. They analysed every error in detail on a giant touchscreen TV. Allardyce gave his players a clear message: ‘I can get you out of this but we need to do it my way.’
RESPECT THE POINT
THE mantra around the training ground became ‘Respect The Point’, Allardyce sensing his team tended to go gung-ho instead of accepting that there is no shame in a draw.
A consultant sports psychologist now comes in once a week but Allardyce himself is very aware of motivational techniques.
At Sunderland last season, Allardyce’s team drew six of eight games in March and April and he wants Palace to show the same stubbornness.
ALLARDICI 1 WENGER 0
ALLARDYCE’S team not only competed with, but also beat Chelsea away and Arsenal at home. He had targeted the home clash with Arsenal as one that was winnable. He has always relished taking on Wenger, even naming a chapter of his autobiography:
Allardici 1 Wenger 0. He wrote: ‘There was one time Wenger wouldn’t shake hands at Highbury because we got a draw. He’s a fantastic manager, but the more I could wind him up, the more I liked it.’
DEFENSIVE TRAINING
THE Palace boss takes the lead in defensive training, putting his players through exacting exercises.
He manhandles central defenders into position so they know where they need to be to snuff out danger. Set-pieces are rehearsed religiously.
His defenders have benefited from individual and collective video analysis sessions but most of the work has been on the training ground. Mamadou Sakho has been a revelation. Allardyce knew his history, and had concerns, but has been delighted with his discipline.
ICE CHAMBERS AND FAST BURSTS
BEFORE Allardyce, Palace used a temporary portable cryotherapy chamber. They now have an ice chamber permanently in place that all players use several times a week to relax muscles after training. Palace’s injury record has already shown great improvement.
Long-time colleagues Sammy Lee and Martyn Margetson are trusted with attacking play and goalkeeping drills and Dr Ryland Morgans has been recruited as the head of performance.
Allardyce wants players who can continually deliver high intensity action for 90 minutes. His gameplan demands short, fast bursts from players and in training this is reflected in ball work and sprint exercises.
TRANSFER WINDOW
ALLARDYCE was mystified by the previous regime’s decision to dispense with defensive midfielder Mile Jedinak without properly replacing him.
Serb Luka Milivojevic has restored order and bite. Some felt that the £13.5m January signing from Olympiacos was a risk but Allardyce has so far been vindicated.
THE PERSONAL TOUCH
PLAYERS are emailed with nutritional advice as well as files on direct opponents.
Allardyce has been cajoling striker Christian Benteke and although the Belgian has only three league goals since mid-December, the boss is pleased by his renewed commitment.
Allardyce relaxed in Dubai during the international break but does not expect another day off until the season is over.