Patrick Vieira is not feeling any extra pressure as Crystal Palace faces a battle for survival in the Premier League. The former Arsenal and France midfielder took charge of the Eagles in the summer, replacing Roy Hodgson, who had guided the team to safety in each of his three seasons in charge.
Vieira has experienced mixed fortunes in his first few months in charge of the south London club. Palace started the season well, recording victories over Tottenham and Aston Villa in their opening three games. They then suffered a run of five defeats in six games, including a 7-0 humbling at the hands of Liverpool.
Since then, the Eagles have been more steady, picking up four points from their last three games, including a 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Monday night. They currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League table, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Speaking after the draw with Leicester City, Vieira insisted that he wasn’t feeling any extra pressure despite the team’s precarious position in the league. “I don’t want to say I am under pressure because I am doing the job that I love, and I am passionate about it,” he said.
“I know what is at stake, and I know that we need to work hard and get the results we need to stay in this league. But I believe in the players and the work that we are doing, and I know that if we keep working hard, we will get the results we need.”
Vieira’s calmness and positivity will be important for Palace as they go into the second half of the season. The former World Cup winner is a highly respected figure in the game and has experience of winning trophies both as a player and as a coach.
He spent nine seasons at Arsenal, where he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. He then had successful spells at Juventus and Inter Milan before finishing his playing career in the United States, where he won the MLS Cup with New York City FC.
After retiring from playing, Vieira moved into coaching, first with Manchester City’s youth teams and then with New York City FC. He led the MLS side to their first-ever playoffs appearance in his second season in charge.
Vieira’s experience and know-how will be vital for Palace as they look to navigate their way through a difficult season. The team has been hit hard by injuries this season, with key players such as Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise, and Eberechi Eze spending significant periods on the sidelines.
Despite the setbacks, Vieira has remained positive and focused on the task at hand. He has emphasised the importance of hard work and teamwork, reminding his players that they are all in this together.
“I know that it’s difficult to keep everyone happy, but that’s just part of the job,” he said. “We need all our players to be ready and to be focused on the games, and that’s what we are trying to do.”
Vieira’s focus on teamwork seems to be paying off, with Palace showing signs of improvement in recent weeks. The team’s draw with Leicester City on Monday night was an encouraging sign, with the Eagles coming back from 2-0 down to secure a point.
Overall, it seems that Vieira is handling the pressure of Palace’s survival battle well. The former midfielder has the experience, knowledge, and positivity to guide his team through what promises to be a tough second half of the season.
With Vieira at the helm, Palace fans can be confident that their team is in good hands, and that the Eagles will fight tooth and nail to stay in the Premier League. So, he is not feeling any extra pressure and his focus is on the teamwork and hard work.