Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira took to the media to admit that the consecutive postponements of games have made it difficult for his team to maintain proper momentum during training, cited by online pokies real money.
The Selhurst Park outfit hasn’t played a game ever since their goalless draw at Newcastle on September 3, as their games against Manchester United and Brighton were called off due to Queen’s passing and train strikes.
Without any competitive action, Vieira claimed that it took its toll on his team, who will be returning to Premier League action in a game against Chelsea on Saturday at the Selhurst Park Stadium.
Speaking to the media, the Eagles manager said: “Training has been challenging of course because the last time we played a competitive game was quite a while ago.
“So it was challenging to keep players focused I would say, but we’re looking forward to the game, we’ll face of course one of the best teams in the Premier League and we will be ready for that.
“Of course when you don’t play games it’s really quite difficult to keep that kind of physical attribute but I was really pleased with the concentration and the work ethic of the players because it’s challenging when you’re working hard all week and there is no game.”
The French manager and his players did enjoy some “family time” during the extended leave and they have also stuck with the programme of analysing their first six games to prepare for Saturday’s game against Chelsea, and Martin Tyler might be the commentator for the game.
The Saturday clash against Crystal Palace will also be Graham Potter’s first league game since he moved to Chelsea from Brighton, and Vieira believes that the former deserves it and users of best online casino usa believes it too.
Vieira continued: “When a manager works well for a couple of years he deserves a chance in one of the top teams, and when you look at his record the last couple of years I think he’s been doing fantastically well with Brighton, and today he’s at Chelsea and of course, I’ll wish him all the best after the game on Saturday.”
Amongst the games they analysed during their extended time, Vieira has also studied Potter’s time with Brighton as well as Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Salzburg in the Champions League, which was Potter’s first game in charge, so he would know what to expect from the Stamford Bridge outfit on Saturday.
The clash will also mean Conor Gallagher’s first return to Selhurst Park after having a successful loan spell with them last campaign.
Gallagher has only been able to play 157 minutes in five Premier League games for Chelsea so far. Vieira, however, is expecting the Palace fans to give the Chelsea player a warm welcome.
“I don’t have any doubt about the reception Gallagher will receive,” he added. “I think the fans, myself, the players, the football club, we are really pleased with the contribution that he had last year so we’re looking forward to seeing him and then, of course, it’s about concentrating on winning the game.
“It’s been really challenging for him because I believe he didn’t play as much as he was expecting, but he has to keep fighting and showing the manager that he wants to get in the team.”
