Hodgson proving that he is still a very good coach at Palace

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has been a figure of derision over the years and rather unfairly at times. The 72-year-old is a man who comes across as a nice guy. Maybe this nice good persona has led to the criticism of him.

However, for whatever you think you know of Hodgson as a person (most of us don’t know him personally) he is still coaching in the Premier League and carries on succeeding in a quiet, unobtrusive way.

Palace are fifth in the table

A 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday with ten-men moved Palace up to fifth place, at least temporarily. The Eagles are just five points outside the Champions League spots, despite predictions of another relegation battle this season.

The Eagles have not exactly soared this season, but they are enjoying a steady enough campaign. With Hodgson in charge, the Eagles are never likely to suffer relegation, but realistically they are not going to push much further up the table without major investment.

A good midtable boss

Crystal Palace will likely finish midtable again this season, as they realistically are unlikely to be able to stay in and around the top-six for the rest of the campaign. They do have a very favourable run of fixtures coming up in the next few months though.

Every football fan wants their team to go to the next level in the game. It would be silly not to want better for our football teams. However, sometimes clubs have a ceiling. The likes of Leicester and Wolves are attempting to break up the usual top-six this season.

However, Palace’s only realistic aim would be a top-half finish, as it would be very difficult with the teams around them to finish in the top-six. This is not a slant on Palace, it is just the reality of their situation.

The Eagles are a very well run midtable, solid Premier League outfit. Roy Hodgson is a very good boss for a team that values stability over flair. He is a good no-nonsense coach. The veteran boss gets on with the job without any fuss and moaning, even when at times he has a right to moan.

Palace are never likely to play fancy football under Hodgson, but they play the sort of football that keeps them in the top-flight and ticking over.

Hodgson’s perceived failures in big jobs at Liverpool and England boss were because he was out of his depth dealing with some of the ridiculous egos of footballers at top clubs. Modern players at big clubs are spoilt, which is a sign of times we live in.

The players that buy into Hodgson’s style are ones willing to work hard and then they get results. He is a good coach, but some players believe they are bigger than the coach, which may have been the case at Liverpool and in the England job.

Where will Palace finish this season?

As we know, Crystal Palace have made a solid start to the season under Roy Hodgson. The Eagles first objective will obviously be to get to 40 points, despite the fact that they look unlikely to suffer relegation this season.

However, Palace are now evens to finish in the top half of the Premier League table this season. With many teams around them in unpredictable form, a top-ten finish is not out of the question.

Hodgson will continue to produce solid, hard-working and well-organised teams. The veteran coach keeps proving his managerial acumen with the Eagles and long may it continue.

Can Roy Hodgson guide Crystal Palace to a top-ten finish this season?