Crystal Palace boss Vieira in no doubt about where his side need to improve after Botafogo stalemate
BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
After an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Brazilian side Botafogo at Selhurst Park on Saturday, Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was in no doubt about what he wants to see improve from his side.
The December friendly was a rare occurrence, played due to the ongoing break in Premier League action with the World Cup in Qatar taking place, but the same old issue affected the Eagles – a blunt forward line.
Wilfried Zaha had an opportunity to break the deadlock but his first-half penalty was saved by former Eagles keeper Lucas Perri in front of the massed Brazilian fans in the Whitehorse Lane.
“When you look at the game, we created situations where we should score goals and we didn’t take them and that can’t happen anymore – we have to progress on that side,” said Vieira.
“The words that you’ve been hearing a lot is for us to be consistent, to be more demanding, the players to be more disciplined on the field and to be more ruthless.”
Vieira was able to give a run out to 22 players, providing much-needed competitive action during a pause in competitive action.
“It was what we were looking for,” said the Palace boss. “The majority of the players all played 45 minutes – that was the plan from the beginning.
“We had a really good week where we worked physically quite hard and in the next game, the majority of the players will play more than one hour. We are where we want to be.”
After visiting Patrick Vieira in the changing room after the game, Palace investor and Botafogo majority owner John Textor, told the South London Press he was probably the only person in the ground happy with a draw as he returned to the executive lounge.
“We were talking about the game, about players,” said Vieira about the post-match visit. “He loves talking football, he’s passionate about the game.
“He loves football and talking about quality of players. He just came to say hello and congratulate the players.”
PICTURES: CPFC/PPA