Steve Coppell: Wilfried Zaha can take Crystal Palace to safety

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Oct 30, 2017. 15:00

Former Crystal Palace manager Steve Coppell has expressed his belief that Ivory Coast attacker Wilfried Zaha can save the team from Premier League relegation.

The Elephants man scored a late equaliser for the Eagles in their 2-2 draw at home to West Ham United this past weekend and continues to be the team’s key player going forward.

"It's a big hole they've created for whatever reason," Coppell told ESPN.

"I'm not going to criticise any decisions that were made last summer, but it was sad to see big Sam [Allardyce] go because he looked as if he could have established something. Changes were made... they just didn't work.

"Now, Roy has come in, and he is very, very solid. He knows his football.

"A critical component of Crystal Palace doing well is Zaha, as he has proven since he came back into the team. The team won against Chelsea and picked up a point on Saturday because of his goal.

"He has got to remain fit and with the organisation that Roy will bring, the team will have a chance."