MY ACCOUNT
Crystal Palace are starting to slip into a relegation battle and Patrick Vieira must sort out his side’s form to steer the Eagles to safety.
Despite their five-point cushion from the drop zone, the South Londoners have not won a match in 2023 and are on a run of 10 games without a victory in all competitions.
Last weekend saw them lose 1-0 at Aston Villa, punctuating a dreary few months for Vieira’s men.
Ahead of their clash with title-chasing Manchester City this evening, we take a look at how the French coach can get the Eagles soaring again.
Goal drought
The biggest worry of late has been a lack of goals — only four sides have netted fewer times in the Premier League this season than Palace.
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew have scored just once each in the competition, with the latter playing more minutes than any other Eagles striker.
Meanwhile, Odsonne Edouard has scored three and chipped in with two assists yet has only been afforded 138 minutes in the last five matches.
The ex-Celtic marksman is clearly capable of putting the ball in the back of the net and could be crucial to getting the Selhurst Park outfit back in scoring form.
Young creators
Chances for Palace in the final third have been few and far between.
However, Michael Olise has been a bright spark when he has played, recording five assists and creating 40 chances in the league so far.
Eberechi Eze has been struggling recently on the left flank and could get back to his best in the centre of the pitch, with talismanic forward Wilfried Zaha returning from injury to play out wide.
Vieira needs to get these two electric youngsters on the ball in their best positions to create more chances for his strikers.
Midfield foundations
The absence of midfielder Conor Gallagher, who was a genuine goal threat on loan from Chelsea last term, has been felt.
Palace’s engine room has struggled for balance, though the addition of Albert Sambi Lokonga is a boost.
The 23-year-old Arsenal loanee had started to build a good partnership with summer signing Cheick Doucoure before the Mali international was dismissed at Villa.
Sambi Lokonga enables Palace to transition quickly with his progressive passing and calmness under pressure also helping to release their forwards on the counter.
If Vieira can find the right foundations for his attacking players to take risks without sacrificing defensive solidity, his side will surely begin to get results.
Vieira’s vow
Speaking after the damning defeat at Villa Park, Vieira highlighted his side’s attacking struggles as the cause of his side’s poor run of results.
The 46-year-old ex-City midfielder said: “After no win in nine, you think about it, and you try to work to win matches.
“You try to play in a good way to allow yourself to create chances and score but we’ve had some tough games and the next three are not going to be easy.
“We have to face it, it’s a challenge, and we are looking forward [to] it. I didn’t hear the boos, but I understand the frustration. The players tried their hardest.”
Difficult days ahead
There is no rest for Palace, who face massive tests before the international break.
Reigning champions City are first up, with Pep Guardiola’s side eager to pile pressure on title rivals Arsenal.
A trip to Robert De Zerbi’s Brighton, in the hunt for European football, follows before an away fixture at the Gunners.
The next few matches could be defining for Palace this season and Vieira must ensure his side start picking up points soon or their Premier League status may be in jeopardy.
