TOUGH AS THE TOP
Roy’s boys feel pressure
ROY HODGSON claims his players are under as much pressure as the Manchester United stars they face at Old Trafford today.
And he believes that envy of the wages they earn is behind much of the criticism.
The Crystal Palace boss watched Jose Mourinho on TV yesterday defending himself against suggestions he had accused four of his stars of lacking character.
The players had all been photographed arriving for training at Carrington, which was a stark contrast to the peace and quiet of Palace’s Beckenham training base.
But the former England boss said: “All players are under pressure, not just at Manchester United, and we must not underestimate that.
“I am a defender of the player today who gets criticised for many things.
“A lot of that criticism comes from jealousy of salaries players earn today compared to what some former stars earned.
“But their life is far from being an easy one. I think that with the pressures they are under, they deserve some credit from time to time for the way they handle those pressures.
“It’s not always a fun time and I have a lot of sympathy for them.”
His sympathy extended to defender Mamadou Sakho, who said while on international duty with France that he still has thoughts of playing in the Champions League.
“My ambition remains the same, I want to be in the biggest possible competitions,” the 28-year-old said. “Is the Champions League in my mind? Why not?”
Hodgson added: “I don’t think you can ever criticise players who are playing at the top of their game and getting international recognition and are sat in front of TV cameras. “They are asked if the summit of their ambition is to play for a team in the Premier League but is not likely to get into the Champions League, and is that something they are happy with?
“I don’t think that you can expect any answer other than the ones they give. “His attitude has been exemplary so I don’t pay too much attention to these stories that come out of international camps.”