Speaking on a recent episode of the HLTCO podcast, Dan Cook discussed the job that Roy Hodgson has done at Crystal Palace thus far.
Since taking over at Palace back in September of 2017, Hodgson has guided the club to an 11th placed finish in his first season in charge, a 12th placed finish in his second season in charge and a 14th-placed finish in his third season in south London.
So far this season, the 73-year-old has overseen four victories – including a 3-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford, as well as an impressive 4-1 win over Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United – as well as one draw and three losses, leaving the club currently sitting in eighth place in the Premier League table.
The former England manager was one topic of conversation on a recent episode of the HLTCO podcast, in which Cook praised Hodgson for the job he has done in south London so far.
He said: “It’s to Roy Hodgson’s credit that year on year, since he’s come in and replaced Frank de Boer, we haven’t really been in a serious relegation battle.
“From an owner’s perspective, in terms of getting Premier League money year on year and stability, you can certainly understand why Steve Parish would be very, very keen to try and keep Roy Hodgson at the club for as long as possible.
“It may not necessarily be a fan’s favourite move, it may not be something that gets the pulse racing of supporters from week to week, but you look at his record – I think there was a stat to suggest that we’re one of very few teams that haven’t been in the bottom six for something like two years now. That’s a quite ridiculous statistic when you consider it’s Crystal Palace Football Club.
“We haven’t got a tiny budget, of course, you look at the bench and the wages that we’re spending there, it’s a sizable amount of money. But even so, when you consider the depth and quality across the Premier League, I think it’s fair to say that Roy Hodgson is doing a fantastic job.”
TIF Thoughts on Dan Cook’s comments regarding Roy Hodgson…
From Cook’s comments, it is clear that the podcaster is of the belief that Hodgson has done well to keep the club out of dire straits considering the overall stature of the Eagles, as well as the size of their transfer budget in comparison to other top-flight teams.
Do you agree with what the podcaster had to say?
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And, after looking at their last three league finishes under Hodgson, as well as the fact that the club currently sits in the top half of the Premier League table, we have to say, it is difficult to argue with the opinion of Cook regarding the 73-year-old.