Was Hodgson’s ‘risky’ Palace XI v Bristol City right call with West Ham coming up?

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Roy Hodgson has been criticised for his Crystal Palace team selection at Bristol City but with West Ham coming up will he be proven right?

Matty Taylor of Bristol City celebrates with teammate Bailey Wright after scores his side’s first goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match against Crystal Palace.

Bristol City are through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time since 1989 as they beat their third Premier League team already this season in Crystal Palace.

After the Eagles took the lead at Ashton Gate the hosts then seized control and ran out 4-1 winners to pile more misery on manager Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson made ten changes from the team that was beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United in the Premier League three days prior and the Palace boss was criticised for his tinkering.

James Tomkins of Crystal Palace looks dejected after the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match against Bristol City.

“I took a risk – I take responsibility for that,” the 70-year-old was quoted by the Evening Standard.

“We’ve had a couple of tough Premier League games and played quite well in both of them, in my opinion.

“I was anxious we rested those players, and I was also very anxious to see some players because a lot of those players out there I’ve not had any chance to watch in so-called first-team action.”

Roy Hodgson, manager of Crystal Palace, during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match against Bristol City.

Yet while it will have been disappointing for the away fans to see their team so comprehensively beaten by Championship opposition, surely Hodgson has to prioritise the league and a crucial upcoming match against West Ham United this Saturday (October 28)?

The South Londoners remain bottom of the table having lost eight of their opening nine fixtures, but face a Hammers side who were beaten 3-0 at home by newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion in their last outing and are struggling themselves.

Of course the problem is that Hodgson is putting lots of pressure on himself to beat West Ham, but victory in that game has got to be more important than against the Robins in the Carabao Cup?