patrick vieira manager
Patrick, how do you sum that game up?
“To be honest with you, I am satisfied with the point. I think the game was really challenging for us, really difficult. Brighton were excellent. We needed to be well organised, we needed to be well disciplined defensively not to give them space to express themselves and even at times they found it. I am satisfied and really happy with the organisation and the discipline we showed because in the end that allowed us to get into the game. I am really pleased with the point that we have.”
How pleased were you with Vicente Guaita’s performance?
“He is an important player for us. Even before I arrived, he performed overall really well for the football club. He has made some important saves and today, we needed him.”
You must be pleased for James Tomkins as well?
“Really pleased, because when you don’t play often, it is hard to find the momentum. With Chris Richards’ injury, he has had his injuries, but he has responded really well and he got rewarded with the goal, and I am happy for him.”
How long will Chris Richards be out for?
“We don’t know yet. It was this morning and we have to wait and see how long it might be.”
How important might that point be in the long run and can a result like that help to turn a corner?
“I would not say it was great, but you have to look at the teams we have faced lately and how strong those teams are. Of course we want to play in a better way, to have more possession and play a bit more forward and score more goals. But sometimes we have to show different qualities and I am pleased with the organisation and the hard work the team showed today. The team deserved that goal and I am really happy for them.”
It must be good to keep up that good record of results against Brighton? It is now four years since Palace lost to them?
“Of course, it is important for the club, important for the fans, it is important not to lose the derby game, but you have to realise the quality of the team that we played against today. I can understand them being frustrated because they created a lot of chances. But I am happy and satisfied with that point, because we stick together, we managed to scored that goal and that is good for us.”
