Vieira refuses to look for excuses
EVEN though Crystal Palace could be in the bottom three of the Premier League by the time they play Leeds tomorrow, manager Patrick Vieira has dismissed talk they are in a false position.
The Eagles have faced a tough programme, taking just one point from games against Manchester City Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. They also had a match at Brighton wiped out by the rail strike.
But Vieira said: “The table doesn’t lie.We are where we are because we didn’t win enough football matches.”
However, he insists that his Eagles are on the right path, saying: “When you look at what we have been producing, it gives us hopes that we will win our next games.
“We have to be more clinical, focusing more on those details that allow us to win matches”
Vieira believes Palace’s league position may give the players greater motivation.
He said: “We look at the table and we are not where we want to be. To get there we have to win matches.
“We need to turn performances into wins, and I don’t have any doubt that we will. The way I see the players working every day gives me that positivity.”
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch will not tone down his pitchside passion as he return to the touchline.
The Leeds boss had to watch the 0-0 draw against AstonVilla from the press box as he served a one-match ban for his protests in last month’s 5-2 hammering at Brentford.
As Leeds look to snap a 16-year winless run at Selhurst Park, Marsh said: “I try to calculate how to use my energy but I’m a passionate guy and I’m not afraid to show that.”