Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was left frustrated by his side’s inability to be brave on the ball in the 0-0 draw against Leicester City on Saturday. The Eagles managed to keep their second clean of the season but for the third time this season drew a blank in front of goal. Vieira’s side only managed to test Foxes goalkeeper Danny Ward once over the course of 90 minutes and lost the possession battle as well. And despite having a numbers advantage in the middle of the park, Palace failed to make the most of it and Vieira put it down to his team not taking risks on the ball.
Patrick Vieira said: “There was an opportunity to play four against two. Their two worked hard, yes, but we weren’t brave enough to break that line and find our holding midfielder [from defence]. When we did find our holding midfielder, we didn’t have the pass going forwards. We didn’t break lines today. We didn’t take risks, and this is why we didn’t create much in the second-half.”
Vieira says his side started the match well, but petered out after the restart.
Patrick Vieira said: “We didn’t play as well as we wanted. In the first-half we had situations that allowed us to create a little bit more, and I don’t think we were aggressive enough going forwards. We didn’t penetrate enough behind the back-four and then in the second-half it was all about them. In the second-half we didn’t create nothing, no situations, but on the other side we defended well because we didn’t concede a goal. There is a frustration there but at least we took a point today.”
