Roy Hodgson sets Crystal Palace side objectives ahead of Leicester City

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson says he wants to see “energy and enthusiasm” from his side in Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leicester City.

The 75-year-old will lead a Crystal Palace side out for the first time since the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in May 2021. Hodgson, who was replaced by Patrick Vieira, was asked to take charge of the side for the rest of the season after the French World Cup winner was sacked.

Palace are three points above the bottom three and the only side in the top four divisions without a win in 2023.

Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City side are 17th in the Premier League table and two points behind the Eagles.

“I want to see some energy and enthusiasm,” Hodgson told PalaceTV of what he expected from his players against the Foxes.

“I want to see that they are aware of our situation and aware that the fans need to be boosted by seeing a team they can believe in and get behind.

“That’s the most important thing for me at the moment. Any tactical changes or tweaks we want to make is what we will be working on a daily basis between now and the end of May.

“For this first game, I will summarise it by saying I want energy, enthusiasm, optimism, and I want a lack of fear. I want people with a lack of fear. I want people with the quality we have to show those qualities and not be frightened that they’re going to fail.

“Go out there and be prepared to fail. Trust in yourself, trust in your team-mates, and trust our fans to pull us through.”

PICTURE: CPFC