Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone on dealing with limited playing time and Roy Hodgson

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone admits it’s been frustrating watching from the bench as Vicente Guaita was picked week in and week out even though he understood he needed to bid his time.

The former West Brom goalkeeper made his Premier League debut for the Eagles in the 5-1 thrashing of relegation-threatened Leeds United last weekend, coincidentally- the last time Palace scored five in the league was against Johnstone’s West Brom in December 2020.

The arrival of new manager Roy Hodgson has been a breath of fresh air in south London with the club winning their first three games under the 75-year-old coach.

Injury to Vicente Guaita has opened the door for Johnstone to get a run of games in the team, and he admits waiting for his chance has been frustrating a time especially when he’s always been used to playing regularly in his career.

He told South London Press: “It’s been difficult but understandable. Vicente is a really good goalkeeper – we both get on with each other. He’s been at the club a long time and plays well every week – I couldn’t complain.

“On the other hand, it was frustrating not to play when I had been so used to playing. I’m just happy I got the game today (Sunday) and the win.”

Crystal Palace had won just one in 16 by the time Patrick Vieira was fired, most fans were worried the club was falling back on Roy Hodgson, but they’ve looked a different side since the former England boss walked in.

Eberechi Eze who could barely get a game under Vieira has seven goals now, one more than injured talisman Wilfried Zaha. Goalkeeper Johnstone admits the fact that players knew Hodgson from his first spell at the club made it easy for him to get them going again.

He added: “A lot of the lads know Hodgson from previous times – he has just freshened us up and kicked the lads into gear a little bit.

“We look a bit more solid as a base, and going forward, we’re dangerous – which we knew anyway.

“He [Hodgson] been great since he came in. He’s a really good coach and a really great man, along with his staff.”

There are a lot of pundits who still feel that Palace would have been fine under Vieira, but you can only beat what is in front of you, and Hodgson will hope that they continue their fine form when they host Everton at Selhurst next weekend.