Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has admitted that he is "feeling the pressure" of the relegation battle as his side sit just four points ahead of Leeds United in the Premier League table, despite being seven places higher than the Whites.
With 12 games left to play this season, just five points separate the bottom nine teams. Southampton, Leeds, Bournemouth, West Ham, Leicester, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Crystal Palace are the sides battling it out to avoid the drop this term.
Javi Gracia's side dropped down to 19th following their 2-2 draw with Brighton, as both Everton and Bournemouth moved up the table with wins over Brentford and Liverpool on the weekend. And Palace, who have won just once in their last 13 top-flight matches, have found themselves dragged into the ongoing relegation battle after their poor run of form.
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Vieira has now admitted that although it is too early for his side to panic, he is feeling the pressure ahead of the run-in.
“When you do well in your first season, people expect you to keep improving but it is not always the case,” the former Arsenal midfielder said. “I think it is important to understand where we are, what we want to achieve and the direction where we wanted to go.
“Of course it will take time to be consistent and that is why it is important for us, as a club, to remain calm and keep working, keep believing in the players we have in the building.
“I am convinced with the way we are working, I am convinced about myself as a manager, I am convinced with the players I am working with every day and when you see the attitude and the hard work they showed against [Manchester] City there is no question on that side.
“For me, it is all about improving the squad, trying to find the right combinations to create those chances and to score those goals. We will put our heads down and keep fighting.
“I’m feeling the pressure like the other nine managers in the table. This is part of the game. The table doesn’t lie. We need to win games, play in a better way and score goals. I believe we have the quality to improve our game.”
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