Crystal Palace defender James Tomkins believes the work being put on the training ground is starting to improve the team’s defensive performance and turn the goals against (46 goals in 25 matches) stat around too/
‘Respect the point’ and ‘clean sheets are important to Premier League survival’ have been Sam Allardyce’s messages since he joined the club in December and his point is finally paying off as demonstrated in the last three games.
Speaking to the Club’s Official Website after the game, the former West Ham man insisted that the manager and his coaching staff’s methods are starting to pay off, especially when it comes to defending.
“In recent weeks the boss has taken us to one side on the training ground, both as a defensive unit but also as a team group, to work on our shape with a massive emphasis being on clean sheets, something which he has always been known for, wherever he has managed.”
“It is not just about the back four and the keeper but also those working from the front, sitting in when needed and then breaking out in numbers on counter attacks when the opportunity comes about in games.”
“In recent weeks this work has been paying off because to get three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League just gives us such a great lift and shows how our defensive play is key to our chances.”
In the last few weeks, Tomkins has played alongside new signing Mamadou Sakho and they seem to be forming a good understanding at the back with the partnership being instrumental to the last three consecutive wins and clean sheets.
“I think my game is coming along nicely, in recent weeks I have had a different centre-half partner in Mamadou and I feel we are getting a good relationship going there at the back. We complement each other at times, he is a very cool and calm customer and he’s good to play alongside and thankfully it’s been working out well with the team of late.”
With a two-week break between the next game, Tomkins has said that the group will use the confidence to keep the momentum going as an opportunity of extending the unbeaten run against the champions-elect Chelsea arrives.
“The momentum we are gaining right from that first win of the three against Middlesbrough is so important, we can all look back and remember games in recent weeks where we didn’t get the victories in games that we needed but these results have given the whole club a massive confidence boost and we need to continue this as we have many more important games to face as the season goes on.”
