First interview: Hodgson calls for “energy, enthusiasm and optimism” –
Roy Hodgson described the role of Crystal Palace supporters as ‘absolutely vital’ and challenged his players to be ‘a team they can believe in’, in his first interview since returning to Crystal Palace.
A crucial period lies ahead the Eagles in their final 10 games of the season, starting with the visit of Leicester City to Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking to Palace TV, Hodgson said of the supporters: “They are absolutely vital.
“If you listen to people from the outside, when they discuss the chances of Crystal Palace surviving, one of the first things they talk about is the fanbase, which has been incredible throughout the years here.
“During my [last] four years here, it was absolutely wonderful. There were many times they pulled us through games and gave us that energy when we were flagging. They boosted our spirits, and of course they have always been very supportive of the team.
“From our point of view, we are totally and utterly dependent upon them if we are going to pull this off.
“The players are capable, there’s no doubt about that. I believe that we will do the right things for them to get them… ready for the matches, but then that’s when the fans play their part.
“In moments when things aren’t going quite so well, fans can help the team. I’ve always felt our fans were the most sympathetic and empathetic to the team of any club in the country.
“All I can hope for is that they give us the sort of backing that they gave the team during the four years I [last] worked at the club.”
Ahead of Saturday, Hodgson equally asked of his players: “I want to see some energy. I want to see some enthusiasm. I want to see that they are aware of our situation, and they are aware that the fans need to be boosted as well, [and want] to see a team that they can believe in, and get behind.
“Any tactical changes or tweaks we want to make, we’ll be working on from now until the end of May, but for this first game… I want energy, I want enthusiasm, I want optimism, and I want a lack of fear.
“I want players with the quality we have to show those qualities, and not be frightened that they’re going to fail in some way. Go out there, don’t be scared to fail, trust in yourself, trust in your teammates – and trust our fans to pull us though.”

The Palace manager rejoined his boyhood club last week until the end of the season, and discussed his satisfaction with early training sessions.
Hodgson observed: “It feels very good to be back at the club. It’s been intensive, as I expected it to be, but it’s also been enjoyable.
“Morale has been surprisingly good. When there is a change of manager, that always affects the players, and with the fact that the results have been as they have been, it is very hard to live through those periods. Everyone has done it at some stages of their lives.
“You can’t really expect people to be bubbly at that moment in time, but I’ve been surprised – the mood has been much better than I feared it might be. It’s important we keep that going.
“The environment in training and around the club is going to be so important, because we are facing quite a crucial period in the club’s history in the next two months.
“There is no doubt in my mind that everyone is 100 percent on board with our goal, which is so stay in the league, so I don’t have any fears in that respect.”

While Hodgson has worked with a number of the current Palace squad during his previous tenure, he explained: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s very much a level playing field.
“I’ve been impressed in this short period of time with the ones I didn’t know. It’s pretty obvious that they [Palace] have improved the quality of the group and the squad.
“They will be of crucial importance in terms of us getting through the last 10 games and getting the points we need to stay in the league, because that is our focus. That is our one and only goal we are trying to achieve.”
Hodgson’s backroom staff comprises Paddy McCarthy, who has taken the role of his assistant manager, and Ray Lewington, who has returned as first-team coach, alongside goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely.
The manager explained: “Ray and I know each other well. We have a working methodology which we believe in and which we think is capable of helping the club.
“Paddy is someone I knew when I was at the club before. Although I didn’t work with him, he’s been a really good addition to our staff.
“It’s a good thing to have someone from within like Paddy, who has a big future in front of him, working with people like Ray and myself with a lot more experience – nearing the tail-end of our careers, while he starts his.”
