Crystal Palace players 'still fully behind Roy Hodgson'

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 11 December 2023

Goalkeeper Remi Matthews claims that the Crystal Palace squad are still fully committed to manager Roy Hodgson, despite pressure mounting on the manager.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Remi Matthews has said that the squad are still behind Roy Hodgson, despite recent pressure on the Eagles' boss.

Hodgson has overseen a run of five games in which Palace have taken just one point, while they have only one Premier League win in nine games.

That form leaves the Eagles in 15th, looking unlikely at the moment to kick on from last season's 11th-placed finish.

Despite the lowly position though, Palace are still seven points clear of the drop zone, and just five points off the top half.

Supporters have become slightly irate at the performances on display though, as only bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United have scored fewer goals than Hodgson's side in the division.

AFC Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi scores their first goal past Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone on December 6, 2023 © Reuters

Comments by the manager in the aftermath of their 2-0 defeat at home to Bouremouth last week did not go down well within the fan base either, suggesting that Palace supporters have been spoiled in recent times.

With the pressure raised slightly, Palace put on a good display in an unfortunate late defeat to Liverpool at Selhurst Park over the weekend.

The hosts led through Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty, but Jordan Ayew's red card saw the game turn completely on its head.

A deflected strike from Mohamed Salah levelled the encounter, before Sam Johnstone was forced off injured, leading to Matthews being given his Premier League debut.

The stand-in keeper was unable to keep out Harvey Elliott's 90th-minute winner though, condemning Palace to a sixth defeat in eight.

Crystal Palace's Remi Matthews on December 9, 2023 © Reuters

Speaking post-match, despite defeat, Matthews was complimentary to both his teammates and manager, stating that they are all pulling in the right direction.

"{It was} a much better performance, we knew what we had to do, from first minute to last we were excellent. It shows that everyone is with the manager.

"The manager has been brilliant. This is the first season I've been with him — I was on loan [at St Johnstone] last year. He has been excellent, and nobody will say anything different." Matthews added.

Palace have an arduous task ahead of them though, as they travel to champions Manchester City next weekend.

The Eagles have a fine record at the Etihad Stadium, though, and will hope to take belief from the fact that they have won twice and claimed a draw over the course of their last five trips to face Pep Guardiola's men.