Leeds United were relegated form the Premier League 13 years ago.
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce
Eagles boss Sam Allardyce spoke to reporters during his pre-match press conference, and responded to a suggestion that his team are too good to go down, by using the 2003/04 Whites side who endured relegation to the Championship as an example of what can happen when complacency creeps in, as quoted by the Express.
The Leeds team that lost their Premier League status in 2004, managed by Eddie Gray, had some exceptionally talented players amongst their ranks, including the likes of Mark Viduka, James Milner, Ian Harte and Alan Smith.
The West Yorkshire outfit have been absent from the top flight ever since that disappointing campaign, and Allardyce highlighted their struggles as a warning for other Premier League sides involved in the relegation dog-fight.
He responded to a reporter who suggested that Palace are too good to go down, as quoted by the Express:
Mark Viduka cellmates after scoring for Leeds
“It’s nonsense to say anyone is too good to be relegated. I was at Bolton when Leeds went down. They were an outstanding, talented side at the time. The negativity had sunk into the team, no matter how good they were. Alan Smith, Mark Viduka, what players they were and they still got relegated. ‘Too good’ is not a term I like to use.”
The 62-year-old has become renowned for specialising in guiding his teams away from any kind of relegation trouble throughout his career, and has never taken a team down during his time in football management.
And it looks like he will keep that impressive record in tact this season, with his Eagles side six points clear of 18th placed Swansea City, with just three league games remaining.
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce
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