Crystal Palace boss Hodgson: Zaha goals success all down to him

Football
21 Nov 2020 • 9:38 PM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

Tribal Football covers news from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson insists a change of position has had no influence on Wilfried Zaha's outstanding form.

Zaha, who also has two assists to his name, has been playing more centrally for Palace but Hodgson does not think he is doing much different to previous years.

“I think that is probably a little it harsh on what he has been doing for the past three and bit years," said the Eagles boss when asked whether the Ivory Coast international was enjoying a renaissance as a second striker ahead of Monday's trip to Burnley.

“He has been playing up front for us in some sort of forward position for all of that period, we've never played him as an out-and-out winger.

“I'm not sure how his role has changed, he spent virtually all of my first season playing up front with Andros Townsend.

“He has always been dangerous and the major difference this year, which is attracting attention, is he has scored five goals and has two assists, whereas in the past he has helped swing games but not been on the scoresheet.

“I don't read as much into the second striker role as much as people are assuming. We've always wanted to use his skills as a forward.

“Our aim with Wilf is to get him up the field, facing the goal and using all the skills he has, nothing more complicated that than.

“He is definitely more focused on scoring goals, which is more important for him and us.

“We have believed in his ability to score goals and this season he believes in it more and wants to do more than he has in the past.

“But the point about Zaha is well made, he is in very good form at the moment, playing very well and I am pretty sure Burnley will be aware of that and be working hard to stop him."