Before the start of the new Premier League season, Patrick Vieira was considered by the media to be the most likely manager to leave the class, but after seven rounds, Vieira not only did not leave the class, but the Crystal Palace team quietly changed.
Mark Gehi and Josim Anderson's new centre-back pairing is blossoming; Gallagher's energy is so contagious that it seems to prompt James MacArthur to take the best of it; and Vieira's passionate trust in Wilfrid Zaha is constantly being rewarded – Zaha, who has been given freedom on the field, has retreated as often as he did under Hodgson, but he has not slackened. "I feel like it's not just about counter-attacks and passing," Zaha said recently, "when the plan is right, the way we play, the goal will come." "While Eberraki Aizer will recover from injury before the end of the year, Crystal Palace will be in a better formation.
Crystal Palace are currently 14th in the rankings, with seven points in seven games, which has been a difficult position to go under Hodgson, and while that hasn't essentially changed, it has become an even more enjoyable spectacle for Selhurst Park fans.
It all stemmed from the swift and effective action of Patrick Vieira, who succeeded in convincing his players that his approach at Crystal Palace was the right one.
Many had thought he was going to spend more than months on the training ground eliminating the formation and pragmatism that Roy Hodgson had built over four years, but the Frenchman basically did just that with just seven games this season. Roy Hodgson has achieved remarkable results here, but fans are tired of his pragmatic but conservative style. Vieira was introduced to energize the Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace also took the bold step of getting some of the experienced core players to leave at the end of their contracts, signing seven new players and injecting new impetus into the team.
A string of new signings has brought a new atmosphere, with Mark Geishi and Josim Anderson being a whole new prospect at the heart of the defence, solid and aggressive in possession. Connor Gallagher has breathed life into the old midfield – they now look fluid and imaginative, as has been made clear in recent weeks against Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and Leicester City. Now Vieira's task is for them to play the full 90 minutes their way.
Geshey joined Crystal Palace from Chelsea for £18m this summer, and while Selhurst Park has changed so much in the summer it may seem difficult to settle down, But Geshey has adapted well.
"Everything is going well, we're used to playing against each other and understanding how we all want to play and what role we play in that partnership," Geshe said.
"I really enjoyed it. Hopefully in the next more games we will be able to consolidate that, get more zero goals conceded and hopefully get more wins. Geshe also made appearances at Crystal Palace alongside another Chelsea graduate and his England under-21 team-mate Gallagher.
Gallagher has won two Player of the Month Awards for Crystal Palace so far this season, following a brilliant start at the club since joining Crystal Palace on loan from Chelsea.
"Not surprising at all," England under-21 captain Geshe said. "He's a fantastic player and already has Premier League experience at West Brom, so he's used to the league. I'm not at all surprised that he's done so well, he brings so much energy to the team and the goal-scoring form he's now showing and reproducing. I'm sure he'll continue this season. ”
Crystal Palace's muscular memory came into play against Brighton, however they got into deep trouble later in the game and ended up giving up two points that seemed like they deserved a heartbreaking equaliser for Neil Mope at the last minute. Against Leicester City, the first half, despite their dominance, were two goals behind, which was also a problem. Vieira's two substitutions saved the day as they drew 2-2 with Leicester City and maintained a season's unbeaten home record.
If the Arsenal legend can give his team confidence in 90 minutes, the draw will quickly turn into a victory.
Now Vieira had asked Crystal Palace to write a hymn to him. Now is the time to redouble your efforts and make a difference.
Vieira's biography
It's a well-known name in England after playing for Arsenal as a player – but in terms of management, the Frenchman is still inconclusive.
From 2016 to 2018, he achieved a solid 44.44% win rate while coaching mls teams in New York City, and despite widespread success on the U.S. team, he failed to win any trophies.
This is followed by a mixed spell when in charge of Nice. Achieved an impressive fifth place in 2019-20, but the following season had problems and he was sacked and Nice finished 11th in Ligue 1.
His two previous jobs had enough positives to keep Crystal Palace supporters optimistic about the future of the 45-year-old World Cup winner. But managing the Hawks so far remains the biggest test of his seniority.