‘He gives you liberty to play’ – Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi delivers verdict on Roy Hodgson

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

A new-found freedom afforded to Crystal Palace players by manager Roy Hodgson has been the key to the Eagles securing Premier League safety, according to defender Marc Guehi.

A 4-3 win over West Ham at Selhurst Park on Saturday saw the South London outfit move up to 40 points – the generally-agreed total to avoid relegation and the number targeted by Hodgson himself.

“He’s fantastic, he’s great,” said the England international defender about Croydon-born Hodgson. “Since he’s come in, he’s been great with me and great with the team. He’s a very relaxed character, he’s very assured and you can feel that when he speaks.

“Everyone is following that up on the pitch. When you are out on the pitch you have loads to think of, [so] when you have someone who keeps it short and sweet and keeps things simple, it helps people to keep that on the pitch.

“He just gives you confidence. He gives the boys liberty to play, especially in the attacking areas. We have so many good players, [but] you need to let them be who they are and keep producing.”

After a Palace defensive mistake from a corner allowed Tomas Soucek to put West Ham ahead inside the first 10 minutes at the weekend, strikes from Jordan Ayew and then Wilfried Zaha nudged the home side ahead in the 20th minute, with Jeffrey Schlupp adding a third for a 3-1 lead on the half-hour mark.

A Michail Antonio strike five minutes later, following another corner, brought the east Londoners within one, but a penalty sunk home from Eberechi Eze midway through the second half ensured the three points, despite a third visitors’ goal from Nayef Aguerd moments later, following yet another corner.

“It did not feel like a 4-3 game,” said Guehi, 22, who moved to SE25 in July 2021. “There are definitely things to learn from – especially set pieces, [but] it was important we got three points. Credit to the boys and credit to the manager. He has given the team a lot of confidence. We are doing well at the moment and need to keep that going.

“Considering where we were, to get to 40 points is fantastic. It gives us a bit of a gap. Now it is about setting targets for the rest of the season. It’s important we set those targets. It’s always about wanting to do the best you can and trying to win every game possible. It will be tough, but we want to be relentless and have the good spirit and belief going into next season.”

Next season will likely see Palace without Hodgson after the former England manager was brought back to the club earlier this month only until the end of this season – his second spell in charge of the club after his first from 2017-21.

Hodgson himself refused to be drawn on whether he would consider extending his stay in South London, with Guehi just waiting to see what will happen.

“If the gaffer does stay on it will be great,” said the former Chelsea player. “If he doesn’t, we thank him for what he has done and move on.

“I don’t know if anyone (players) has a problem with anyone coming in. Everyone [just] gets on with it and is really professional.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD