Patrick Viera

[Squiggles]

Palace was largely tipped to go down this year. 7/4 odds at the start of the season. Main reasons were a huge squad overhaul needed, many leaving on frees, inexperienced manager coming in and little money to spend.

In spite of this Viera has guided them to 9th in the league, ahead of the likes of Leicester, Villa, Southampton, Brighton, etc, whilst transforming their style of play to more open attacking football.

Smashed Arsenal the other night, too.

It's been a surprisingly impressive year.

 

[Athens]

Has he been vaccinated? Anyone know?

 

[mark1975]

They look good. He seems have given them a bit of the Arsenal verve of old.

 

[Bradley]

It was the booster what got him.

RIP

 

[bluebell]

Still 20% of the season to go.

 

[Hansern]

Really thought he'd struggle after how it ended at Nice, but he has surprised greatly.
Palace look really good, balanced and play some decent football.

Has to be said, their recruitment and transfer dealings this summer has been spot on.

 

[Judge Jules]

Not all appointments of former top players inexperienced in management to high level jobs work out - just look across Stanley Park. Vieira's done exceptionally well, even allowing for the fact that anyone following Hodgson in a job starts with a built-in advantage.

 

[rurikbird]

Yeah, impressed with him. Hope he can keep it up next season and establish himself as a top coach.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I like what he's done.
Very surprised by it.
Love what he's done with Gallagher, whom I'd love to buy for 30-40 million to replace Milner / Gini etc

 

[Hyena]

I've strangely always had a soft spot for Palace, (on account of their ridiculous name and their kit) but they were a drag under Roy. Definitely one of the more fun sides to watch now under Vieira.

Took four points off City and smashed Arsenal. What's not to like? Olise is a baller too.

 

[Whaddapie]

I've liked them all season... When they came to Anfield, we ended up winning 3-0, but that came could easily have been 1-1 or worse, before we got our 2nd goal. They played us really, really well. They deserved better from that match.

I like them. I like him. And that Gallagher is going to be a player. Such a shame he's Chav$ki property.

 

[rubans]

Their fans always lead with some boss chants, if it wasn’t near London probably like them more…

 

[dee]

Clinton Morrison - 2001 - I still snigger
Our big chance (pre-Klopp) - 2014 - I do not snigger

 

[rurikbird]

I've liked them all season... When they came to Anfield, we ended up winning 3-0, but that came could easily have been 1-1 or worse, before we got our 2nd goal. They played us really, really well. They deserved better from that match.

I like them. I like him. And that Gallagher is going to be a player. Such a shame he's Chav$ki property.

Gallagher is good, but Olise is the one to really keep an eye on in that team, I think.

What Viera is done, I think, is to empower their attacking players to actually do what they are good at and play, attack and express themselves – the exact opposite of what Hodgson was doing. And his defensive structure is solid enough to provide balance on the other end. I wish more lower and mid-table Premier League managers cared about improving the individual players, rather than shoehorning them into systems in short-term race for results.