5 defeats 0 goals — can Hodgson turn it around?
THOSE behind the scenes at Selhurst said the mood had been significantly lifted by the departure of Frank de Boer and the appointment of local lad Roy Hodgson but by the end of his first match in charge their were groans as Palace set an unwelcome Premier League record, writes KIERAN GILL.
Since 1888, 2,465 teams have started seasons in England’s top division — Palace are the first to have lost their opening five games without scoring a single goal.
It means the Eagles have failed to find the back of the net in six consecutive league games for the first time since 1995.
Some players worked their socks off, others did not. Hodgson handed Ruben Loftus-Cheek (below) a start and the 21-yearold Chelsea loanee was lively throughout. Joel Ward looked a liability. Several times he was out of position and Andros Townsend had to provide cover.
BALL CONTROL
Palace were happy to let Southampton have possession, the home side finished with having had 45 per cent of the ball. Under De Boer, Palace had the most possession in their other two home games a 2-0 loss against Swansea and a 3-0 defeat by Huddersfield), so this was a change.
With games against Manchester City, United and Chelsea to come in their next four fixtures, they should get used to not having the ball.
TACTICAL FLEXIBILITY
There was plenty of player rotation by Hodgson, balls across the box were frequent and they should have scored from at least two of them. Unfortunately for the manager, the finishing from Christian Benteke and Co was off, while Fraser Forster was having one of those days in Saints’ goal.
And, while De Boer wanted it passed out from the back at all costs, Palace often opted for a long ball.
NATIVES ARE STILL RESTLESS
The atmosphere in the stands at Selhurst is usually among the best in the Premier League, though conceding in the sixth minute dampened the warm welcome for Hodgson. The manager, who stayed sat down for the majority of the match, was applauded as he walked out of the tunnel.
The mood changed in the 78th minute when he substituted Loftus-Cheek (who later admitted to having cramp). The decision to take off their most dangerous player was greeted by boos. A crumb of comfort? There has been a Premier League side who stayed up after losing their first five games — Southampton back in 1998-99.
AND THEIR NEXT THREE LEAGUE GAMES?
Sat Sep 23 Man City (A), Sep 30 Man Utd (A), Oct 14 Chelsea (H)