Crystal Palace fans launch attack on Roy Hodgson’s tactics and ‘lack of ambition’ with training ground banner

Protest | A banner strung up outside Crystal Palace’s training ground on Tuesday
Twitter/@ultrascpfc
Jack Rosser @JackRosser_16 February 2021

Crystal Palace fans have erected a banner outside the club's training ground calling for change and launched a scathing attack on Roy Hodgson's tactics.

The Holmesdale Fanatics, Palace's noisy and notorious ultras, have strung up a banner outside the Copers Cope Training Ground saying the club are suffering a "pandemic of apathy".

A dismal 3-0 defeat to Burnley at the weekend offered little sign of hope to a side struggling without talisman Wilfried Zaha and left Hodgson to damningly concede: “The bottom line is I don’t really think we’ve played to our potential for quite a while now."

The Palace boss was greeted at training today with a banner strung up by the Ultras which read: "Palace pandemic of apathy. Change this mentality. Restore the pride ambition and vision."

The Holmesdale Fantatics shared the image of the banner on social media along with a statement calling for change which was scathing in its assessment of Hodgson's football.

"Losing games without a fight, flair players shackled in negative formations, a lack of leadership and pride on the pitch. This is not the Palace way," said the statement.

"Our safety first approach is being exposed and our spineless, defensive tactics show no ambition or vision.

"Consolidating just above the relegation zone with no plan for progress is not sustainable and breeds a negative atmosphere. This and the continued disregard for cup competitions shows a lack of respect towards supporters."

Almost half the Crystal Palace squad, as well as Hodgson and his coaching staff, are out of contract at the end of this season with chairman Steve Parish vowing to continue the regeneration of the squad, which began with the additions of Ebere Eze and Nathan Ferguson last summer as well as Jean-Philippe Mateta in January.

Hodgson and his struggling squad - the former England boss is without nine first team players through injury - face a trip to rivals Brighton on Monday night.

In what feels like a season in which Palace are treading water with three wins from their last 14 games in all competitions and little energy or excitement from their side, Hodgson could still match their best Premier League points tally after 25 games with a win at the Amex.

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