PATRICK Vieira is pleased he shut out the noise and was able to answer his critics during a successful first season at Crystal Palace.
The 45-year-old took over at Selhurst Park in July and was tasked with replacing veteran boss Roy Hodgson in addition to rebuilding a squad that had just lost a number of senior professionals.
Despite accepting the role only six weeks before the start of the season, the former Arsenal captain was able to guide Palace to an impressive 12th-placed finish and also lead them to an FA Cup semifinal at Wembley.
“I think it has been really good and I am really happy with the staff and the way we work,” Vieira reflected.
“It has been positive and it is good I did not listen a lot about what people were expecting me to achieve this season.
“I put my head down and with the rest of the staff we work well and work hard.
“We went through a difficult period but we didn’t change our philosophy because we knew where we wanted to go and even through a difficult period we manage to stick together.
“Now at the end of the season
By PAUL THOMAS
looking at where we are I am pleased with that.”
Palace ended the season on a high by beating Manchester United at Selhurst Park.
That meant the Eagles fell just two short of their highest ever Premier League points tally.
Last summer Palace’s new signings were mostly aged 23 or below – and Vieira is thrilled with how they have handled their first full season in England’s top flight.
“Of course it is not easy when you come into a football club and there is a really big turnover,” he said.
Support
“With young players coming through of course there is always going to be a question about if those players will adapt. There is also a question of the young, new manager coming into the Premier League and there is a question mark over whether he can handle the pressure of the game.
“But the support has been fantastic, from the sporting director Dougie to the chairman, we work well.
“We always had a clear idea of where we wanted to go. During the season we knew there would be difficult periods but we always tried to stick together and take the positives so that helped us manage those difficult periods.”
Palace face another big couple of months with Conor Gallagher set to return to Chelsea and decisions to be made over certain players who are out of contract.
Vieira added: “I think it is all about as a manager, as a coaching staff to keep maintaining the level of the quality of the players and of course with the way we work we expect them to improve.”