October 25 2017

Roy Hodgson

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has blasted his second-string flops after their cup defeat to Bristol City.

Hodgson admits he took a risk in selecting a weakened side against the Championship club but was disappointed most of his fringe players were simply not up to the task.

The manager apologised to the Eagles fans for the abject display in the 4-1 loss and says he can take solace that he was correct in keeping those reserve players away from the first team.

He said: "I took a risk - I take responsibility for that. We've had a couple of tough Premier League games and played quite well in both of them, in my opinion.

"I was anxious we rested those players, and I was also very anxious to see some players because a lot of those players out there I've not had any chance to watch in so-called first-team action.

"It was an opportunity for them to knock on the door of the first team and threaten the places of the team I have played in the last two games, so I am bitterly disappointed that didn't work out because there were very few performances that made me think I was picking the wrong team."

Despite taking the lead after 21 minutes, Palace manage to collapse after Patrick van Aanholt's mistake allowed City to equalise and go on to win.

Hodgson added: "I am very disappointed for the fans who came all this way, and I am disappointed by the way at the end we capitulated after at least for the first 45 minutes having had arguably the better of the game.

"We contrived to give away goals at important times, and in the end we are on the back of a heavy defeat."