The former Arsenal defender said that Allardyce ‘seems incapable’ of turning things around.
While Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace suffered their sixth defeat in his eight matches in charge with a 1-0 loss to Stoke City, it isn’t wise to write the Eagles off just yet.
Life for the former England boss has been tough at Selhurst Park, with the club 19th in the Premier League, two points behind 17th placed Leicester City.
Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye and team mates look dejected
This led to Martin Keown to claim, on BBC Sport, that Allardyce, despite his experience, won’t be able to turn things around at Palace as the problems seem too deep rooted, with fear taking over the side.
It’s a fair comment, but while reputations don’t count for much in a relegation dogfight, there is a reason why Allardyce is yet to be relegated from the Premier League.
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce
This time last year, everyone felt that Sunderland were doomed, and were subsequently written off. From March 1st, Allardyce’s Sunderland lost just once with a squad that’s probably inferior to his current Palace side.
Allardyce doesn’t have Jermain Defoe to call upon, but he does have players like Christian Benteke, Yohan Cabaye and Wilfried Zaha in his ranks, while signing Mamadou Sakho on loan is a huge coup. Times are tough, but Palace have a great chance of survival.
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