Crystal Palace: ‘Unfair to judge’ Patrick Vieira at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace cannot be expected to be having a great campaign so far given the level of opposition they have faced, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Eagles are currently lingering just one place above the relegation zone on goal difference following a slow start to the season, albeit with a game in hand over most of their competitors.

Palace enjoyed a very successful first term under the tutelage of manager Patrick Vieira following his appointment back in July 2021.

The south London outfit finished in 12th position in the Premier League standings while also reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, all while starting an overhaul of their first-team squad and playing style.

It was hoped that Palace could kick on and build on those solid foundations this time around, but that hasn’t been the case so far.

Just one win in their opening seven top-flight outings has seen the capital club enter this weekend’s game against Leeds United in 17th place, although the fixture list has been far from kind to them.

Already in 2022/23, Palace have taken on Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, four teams who finished in the top five last season, partially explaining why Vieira’s charges have struggled to get going.

Jones believes that it is ‘a bit unfair to judge’ Palace’s performances and results to date due to the fact they have played a large portion of the Premier League’s top teams.

Read more: Premier League 22/23 Game week 9: Fixtures, predictions, odds, table & everything you need to know

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “I think it’s a bit unfair to judge them at the moment.

“They’ve played Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea. If you’ve played over half your games against the best teams in the division,