Roy Hodgson ruins boring Crystal Palace narrative by just making one significant change

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has highlighted the importance of allowing players to enjoy the game and not be restricted to just  playing in a tactical system.

During Patrick Vieira’s last days at the club, Palace were stale and once went three games without having a shot on target.

There were genuine fears that the Eagles could be losing their Premier League survival despite what had been admittedly a tough run of fixtures that included games against Manchester United twice, Newcastle, Liverpool, Brentford and top-four-chasing Brighton and Hove Albion side.

There were concerns that Palace had sunk so low they were hard to watch and went into games hoping not to get beat rather than looking forward to putting teams away comprehensively.

“It’s not been easy – we’ve been struggling [earlier this season] – but since the manager came in, he’s done a good job giving us back the confidence to express ourselves, and that’s what we’re doing,” striker Jordan Ayew told Palace tv after the 5-1 win over Leeds United.

Freedom and confidence are huge tools for every player and a team which was struggling to get shots away, has now recorded 47 shots and 16 on target in their last two games, scored seven goals and only conceded two.

A remarkable transformation which French forward Mateta also pins down on the freedom he enjoys playing under the 75-year-old.

He told reporters: “He gives us a little bit of freedom to do what you can do. The club is very happy and he’s a good manager.”

In just two games, Roy has transformed Palace from a team which was described by pundits as boring and looking down to an exciting one challenging for a top 10 finish.