Roy Hodgson will keep 'the sword pulled out of my head' as Crystal Palace hits magical 40s
Roy Hodgson has admitted his relief after Crystal Palace beat West Ham 4-3 to move to 40 points and virtually ensure Premier League safety.
When the 75-year-old returned to the Selhurst Park dugout earlier this month, he had inherited a team entrenched in a relegation battle and struggling considerably in attack.
Palace have been transformed under him since and the victory over David Moyes' men propelled them to 11th place and ahead of Chelsea, who played two fewer matches.
Palace was pissed when Tomas Soucek gave the Hammers an early lead and goals from Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp made it 3-1.
Michail Antonio scored before the break but Eberechi Eze restored Palace's two-goal advantage from the penalty spot and, although Nayef Aguerd kept the Hammers' hopes alive with a third for the visitors, Palace held on For victory.
Hodgson will hope Palace will continue for the remaining four games despite appearing clear of the relegation threat.
"It's up to the players to decide," Hodgson said. "I don't often share what I say to players in the dressing room but I can share it. I said 'it's up to you'. Nothing is going to change as far as Ray [Lewington], Paddy McCarthy and me are concerned.
"We will all work exactly the same, but only you can get that fire, that desire to do the extra run, to win the challenge, only you can do that. I think you can go as far as you wish.
"I'm not going to say we're going to win four more games, but I don't think we're unable to win them.
READ MORE: Crystal Palace v West Ham bedlam serves as transfer confirmation for two Arsenal targets
"As the sword was removed from my head, it was removed from the heads of the players.
"We'll keep the sword where it is as far as we're concerned, because we like to win games and we like to come out of every performance, even if it's a loss thinking 'well done, boys. You you did well, you played good football, without being unsatisfactory in any way. It didn't work out this time, let's move on to the next one.
"That's our attitude. I can't guarantee what the attitude of the players will be, but I think they would share that belief."
Roy Hodgson has admitted his relief after Crystal Palace beat West Ham 4-3 to move to 40 points and virtually ensure Premier League safety.
When the 75-year-old returned to the Selhurst Park dugout earlier this month, he had inherited a team entrenched in a relegation battle and struggling considerably in attack.
Palace have been transformed under him since and the victory over David Moyes' men propelled them to 11th place and ahead of Chelsea, who played two fewer matches.
Palace was pissed when Tomas Soucek gave the Hammers an early lead and goals from Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp made it 3-1.
Michail Antonio scored before the break but Eberechi Eze restored Palace's two-goal advantage from the penalty spot and, although Nayef Aguerd kept the Hammers' hopes alive with a third for the visitors, Palace held on For victory.
Hodgson will hope Palace will continue for the remaining four games despite appearing clear of the relegation threat.
"It's up to the players to decide," Hodgson said. "I don't often share what I say to players in the dressing room but I can share it. I said 'it's up to you'. Nothing is going to change as far as Ray [Lewington], Paddy McCarthy and me are concerned.
"We will all work exactly the same, but only you can get that fire, that desire to do the extra run, to win the challenge, only you can do that. I think you can go as far as you wish.
"I'm not going to say we're going to win four more games, but I don't think we're unable to win them.
READ MORE: Crystal Palace v West Ham bedlam serves as transfer confirmation for two Arsenal targets
"As the sword was removed from my head, it was removed from the heads of the players.
"We'll keep the sword where it is as far as we're concerned, because we like to win games and we like to come out of every performance, even if it's a loss thinking 'well done, boys. You you did well, you played good football, without being unsatisfactory in any way. It didn't work out this time, let's move on to the next one.
"That's our attitude. I can't guarantee what the attitude of the players will be, but I think they would share that belief."
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