Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says there is a determination within his squad to put things right when they host Southampton on Saturday.
The Eagles have lost six games in a row heading into this weekend, shipping 18 goals in that time, culminating in last Saturday’s extraordinary 5-4 defeat to Swansea City.
Conceding goals from set pieces has been their Achilles heel of late, and Pardew says they’ve been working to improve all aspects of their game this week.
“I get that sense of determination to get a result from the training ground,” he said. “We've got to get that balance right. I don't want my team to sit back and invite Southampton on to us, the fans deserve better than that.
“We've been looking at set plays,” he added. “I have very good coaches here and I'm sure we can get to the bottom of it.
“We need to get the players balanced - we don't want to get overly tense. There's a lot of frustration in the group and we need to put it right.
“We've done a couple of things that the players want to do. You have to listen to the group. I'm experienced enough to know that.”
ALAN PARDEW
I DON'T WANT MY TEAM TO SIT BACK AND INVITE SOUTHAMPTON ON TO US, THE FANS DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.
CRYSTAL PALACE MANAGER
Palace have won just once in the league at home this season, and the former Saints boss knows there is additional pressure on his side to put that right at Selhurst Park.
“I'm a realist, I understand the situation,” he said. “I've got to ensure our next result is a positive one. That's a pressure I put on myself. I am used to this situation, I've been in it before.
“It's unusual to have this kind of run. I know we have to be strong.
“I have an honest group of players. OK, we've lost some confidence in set plays and made some mistakes, but we'll correct that.
“Our fans have suffered. I want us to get a result and people to leave this stadium much happier than after the game at Swansea.”
Share this: