Sam Allardyce has warned the Crystal Palace squad that he can’t save them from relegation on his own.
Speaking to Sky Sports the former England boss revealed the pressures and expectations that are on him to keep the club in the top flight.
Allardyce arrived at Selhurst Park in December with an immediate assumption that Palace were safe from the drop due to their new manager’s track record.
One win in eight matches plus a frustrating January transfer window has cast doubt on that theory with only Sunderland below Palace in the Premier League table.
“The turnaround hasn’t been as quick as I would have liked,” Allardyce admitted. “People will look at my track record and say, ‘Sam will do it’ but I can’t do it on my own, the players have got to do it for me.”
Last season Allardyce found himself in the relegation battle when he arrived at Sunderland.
Some shrewd transfer movement, some tweaks to the squad and tactics plus the goals of Jermain Defoe were enough to secure another season in the Premier League.
With 13 matches left to play Allardyce has his work cut out to repeat last season’s heroics.