‘I won’t change my team’s principles’ – Patrick Vieira as Palace set for reunion with Watford boss Roy Hodgson

Patrick Vieira insists that his Crystal Palace side will not be changing their “principles” just because they are facing former manager Roy Hodgson on Wednesday night.

Hodgson, 74, stepped away from the South Londoners at the end of last season after four years in charge at Selhurst Park.

Vieira replaced Hodgson in the Eagles dugout in the summer, with the ex-England manager returning to management with Watford in late January, replacing Claudio Ranieri. Hodgson secured his first Watford win last weekend in a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

Vicente Guaita, Tyrick Mitchell, James McArthur, Cheikhou Kouyate and Wilfried Zaha, who all started last time out in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, all played under Hodgson during his Crystal Palace tenure.

When asked whether he would approach the game at Vicarage Road on Wednesday night differently due to Hodgson’s knowledge of a handful of his players, Vieira said: “No, we are not going to do anything differently.

“We are going to stick to our principles – the way that we try to play the game and again trying to improve those details that will allow us to take something from the game.”

The Eagles are without a win in 2022, have only won one game away from home all season and find themselves just eight points above the relegation zone.

Speaking about the importance of remembering that this is only the first season into his plans with the club, Vieira said: “It is a project – we have always had a clear understanding of where we are and want to go.

“It will take time, but we also know that in football, you don’t have time. I know how competitive the league is, so it’s important to keep improving the way we are doing but not to forget that it’s important to win matches.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD