EMOTIONAL RESCUE!

‘Mr Cool’ has to hide the passion in his bid to save Palace from the drop

ROY HODGSON says cool heads will keep Crystal Palace up – but admits his own calm exterior is just a front.

Midweek match-winner James McArthur this week claimed the manager’s composure has helped the Palace players keep their nerve after a nightmare start.

After failing to register a single goal or point in the opening seven games, the Eagles travel to Leicester City on the back of a six-game unbeaten run.

But while boss Hodgson has told his squad to use their heads, not their hearts, in the relegation scrap, he struggles to follow his own advice.

The manager said: “If I was to allow my true personality and my emotions to command the situation or take over, it would be a different kettle of fish.

“I am not by nature, unfortunately, a tranquil, calm person. I am more emotive, always have been, and probably always will be.

“But over the years I have realised that it is not always about venting emotions, it is about doing what the team needs and having the necessary control to say the right thing at the right time.

“We have certainly preached to the players about control, making the right decisions, and not allowing their heart to rule their head, accepting defeats and not getting carried away with victories. “It is difficult for me, but for some people it is easier, some people hide their emotions quite well.

“But you realise that you can do a lot of damage by saying the wrong thing in an emotive way and it can take a long time to bring it back.”

Palace’s regular penalty taker Luka Milivojevic is suspended but Hodgson insists there is no way Christian Benteke (above) will assume spot-kick duties after his recent miss.

He said: “We’ll make a decision but, if you’re asking if Christian’s No.1, then I can say I don’t think either he or we want that situation. There are other people who can take them.”