Is Patrick Vieira worried about Crystal Palace’s current form? Eagles boss answers that question

Patrick Vieira has admitted that he is concerned about Crystal Palace’s current form after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by fellow Premier League side Southampton.

Goals from James Ward-Prowse and Adam Armstrong cancelled out Odsonne Edouard’s opener at Selhurst Park.

The South Londoners have only won one of their previous five competitive outings.

When asked if he was worried about the current form, Vieira said: “I’m concerned, yes. Worried? No.

“Today, you can see that, at times, we can play some really good football and we can create chances.

“Again, the mindset needs to be better. But to be better, we have to work on that. Working on that is not going to happen in the next week or the next month, this is a process that’s going to take time.

“It’s important for me as a manager and the staff to be behind the players, more demanding and to make them understand that taking your chances is important in the game.

“It’s a sad day for us – the team, the players and the football club.

“We wanted to go to the next round.”

The Eagles’ next nine fixtures in the Premier League are against sides who are currently above them in the table.

“Those young players, when they play a game like they played today, they will always improve,” said Vieira of how he can ensure the younger members of his squad are still developing while taking on the tougher opponents in the Premier League.

“You always learn from a defeat or a mistake. Even in defeat, there are always positives to take from that game.

“What will be important for myself and those players is to be realistic about those performances, to accept all the criticism we have and can receive and keep our head down and keep working.

“This is what we’re going to do.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD