Palace in mind games
SAM ALLARDYCE believes the key to winning the Premier League survival scrap lies in his players’ minds.
But the Crystal Palace boss admits a growing injury list is battering his side’s hopes after Yohan Cabaye was ruled out of Monday’s clash with Arsenal.
Cabaye picked up a calf injury during Wednesday night’s defeat at Southampton that left the Eagles just three points clear of the bottom three.
With defenders James Tomkins, Scott Dann and Patrick van Aanholt also out, Allardyce admits his squad is being stretched.
But he said: “In the end, who can hold their nerve is the key to success when the pressure is on you at this level, when you get down to the single-game mark and the bell starts ringing that time is running out.
“You have to be brave and stand up and be counted in those situations if you want to be in the Premier League next season.
“The task for the players is executing that information on the pitch, to keep a clear mind that can get confused under pressure.
“It will be disappointing if we don’t survive, having worked so hard to get this chance.”
But Allardyce admits the lengthy list of crocks is affecting Palace.
He said: “We got through most of March when the only changes were tactical.
“Now we are now facing quite a long list of injuries. We are really thin on the ground now.”