Crystal Palace legend Geoff Thomas praises Patrick Vieira for raising ‘intensity’ of players

Geoff Thomas led Crystal Palace out in Wembley in the club’s first FA Cup final in 1990 against Manchester United.
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Crystal Palace legend Geoff Thomas has praised manager Patrick Vieira for raising the “intensity” at training and given the players “more freedom”.

The Eagles take on Chelsea at Wembley later today in an FA Cup semi-final, which has come in the Frenchman’s first season at Selhurst Park.

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Many expected Palace to battling relegation this season, however they have beaten Manchester City, Spurs and Arsenal in the league and find themselves one win away from the FA Cup fnal.

It is the first time the Eagles have reached Wembley since Alan Pardew led the club to the final against Manchester United in 2016.

Crystal Palace legend Geoff Thomas playing for the club in 1990. Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton ArchiveCrystal Palace legend Geoff Thomas playing for the club in 1990. Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive
Crystal Palace legend Geoff Thomas playing for the club in 1990. Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Prior to that, Thomas led Palace out to their first FA Cup final against Manchester United in 1990.

The Eagles legend - who played 195 times for Palace during one of the most successful spells in the club’s history - praised Vieira for getting more out of the club’s flair players.

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Thomas told LondonWorld: “Without doubt Roy [Hodgson] laid down the foundations.

“Roy’s an experienced manager and I think there was a solid base there, but I think the fans were getting a bit frustrated.

“Palace have got a lot of flair players and they were seen to be stifled by the style of play.

“Patrick Vieira has come in and he seems to have changed the way they’ve played.

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“He’s given the guys more freedom - you can see the intensity of the work has gone up a little bit as well.”

French former Arsenal and France star Patrick Vieira, world and European champion with Les Bleus (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU / AFP)        (Photo credit should read YANN COATSALIOU/AFP via Getty Images)French former Arsenal and France star Patrick Vieira, world and European champion with Les Bleus (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU / AFP)        (Photo credit should read YANN COATSALIOU/AFP via Getty Images)
French former Arsenal and France star Patrick Vieira, world and European champion with Les Bleus (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU / AFP) (Photo credit should read YANN COATSALIOU/AFP via Getty Images)

With Patrick Vieira’s side facing off against Chelsea at Wembley today, Thomas recalled incredible day he led out Palace at Wembley in the club’s first ever FA Cup final.

“It was just special - I’m a Manchester lad and we were playing against Manchester United,” he said.

“I came from the blue side of Manchester, but walked out next to an iconic person in Bryan Robson.

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“A lot of players of my age looked up to Bryan, it didn’t matter who you were playing for, who you were aligned with, everyone seemed to respect the guy.

“So to be pitching yourself up against him on the pitch it was amazing.

“Steve Coppell was our manager - a young manager - and Alex Ferguson next to him, so great memories.”

Ian Wright scored twice to put Palace 3-2 in front going into the final minutes of extra time.

However in the 113th minute Mark Hughes equalised.

Geoff Thomas receiving his MBE in March. Credit: Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty ImagesGeoff Thomas receiving his MBE in March. Credit: Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Geoff Thomas receiving his MBE in March. Credit: Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images
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Instead of penalties, the teams played out a replay at Wembley a week later - and Manchester United won 1-0.

While Thomas has fond memories of the first match, he described the second game as a “really dull affair”.

“The first game was fantastic, it was two sides going at each other trying to win the game,” he said.

“Unfortunately we just fell short - we were seven minutes away from the cup - and Mark Hughes got the equaliser.

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“The next game was more like a non event, both teams didn’t want to lose, it was a totally different mindset.

“I think we just didn’t want to give Manchester United any options of scoring, and it became a really dull affair.

“It wasn’t a good one to play and it probably wasn’t a good one to watch.”

Geoff Thomas was speaking to LondonWorld ahead of the Cycle Show at Alexandra Palace.

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This summer will be the fourth time the former football star has ridden the entire Tour de France route ahead of the race to raise money for Cure Leukaemia.