Are Crystal Palace in danger of the drop?

Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce has a tough job on his hands to turn the Eagles’ fortunes around.

Crystal Palace suffered a 3-0 defeat to West Ham United on the weekend, their fifth loss in six games.

Manager Sam Allardyce has picked up just one point from a possible 12 since taking over the relegation-threatened London club this season but is yet to improve their fortunes.

And given Palace’s defensive woes see them as one of the most-porous in 2016/17, are the Eagles in danger of the drop?

Palace have conceded cheap goals all season

Crystal Palace 3-0 defeat to the Hammers was the sixth time they have conceded three or more goals in the Premier League this season. The Londoners have managed just one clean sheet in 2016/17, averaging just shy of two goals conceded per game (21 games, 40 goals). Allardyce quickly address upon his appointment that he needs to correct the club’s problems in defence, but the Eagles’ issues at the back might be more severe than first realised.

Only fellow strugglers Hull City and Swansea City have conceded more goals than Crystal Palace in the league, and Allardyce hasn’t managed to amend the problems at the back after three weeks at the club. Palace have conceded eight goals from the four games under the new boss and suffered their heaviest defeat under Allardyce most recently. There’s little evidence of improvement each week from the Eagles, rather looking like they are worsening.

Deep-rooted problems stemming from autumn form

Post-September, Crystal Palace have picked up the fewest amount of points in the Premier League (5). They have picked up the fewest amount of wins (1), have lost the most amount of games (11), while conceding the third most amount of goals (32). Allardyce has a lot to work through this season, and it’s clear the club’s problems won’t be fixed overnight given how much they have struggled for months.

Palace managed only three clean sheets in the Premier League in 2016, and had a manager in Alan Pardew who openly stated his lack of care to shut sides out. There’s no doubt Allardyce can make the Eagles a more resilient club when looking at his fine work with Sunderland last season, but supporters may have to be patient. Palace haven’t been a club with a pragmatic philosophy for many years to it may take some time for his work on the training ground to show in results this season. Crystal Palace are 9/4 to get relegated from the Premier League this season.

Could the Eagles go down?