Malian star Sako owes so much to Roy Hodgson

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Thursday Jan 04, 2018. 17:30

Mali international Bakary Sako says that joint team effort has helped English Premier League (EPL) side Crystal Palace on the field of play since the appointment of Roy Hodgson.

Palace secured a 2-1 win over Southampton in a league match on Tuesday with Sako making a second-half appearance at the St. Mary/s Stadium.

The team has improved since the arrival of Hodgson as the club's manager last September with former England coach replacing Dutch tactician Fran de Boer.

"I think we realise when we play as a team we can produce some great play and show our strengths across the pitch and as I have said before you have to give great credit to the gaffer because he has put into our heads every day in training what we should be doing and we have taken that into matches and our recent results show what that has meant for us," Sako told club website.

The 29-year-old midfielder has made 13 league appearances under Hodgson - netting twice in the process.

“Personally speaking I owe so much to the boss, he has got me playing more central and I am happy playing in that position and I am only looking to improve and get the chance to contribute like I did tonight," he continued.

"We are in a good position and took four points out of nine in our last three including those home games against Arsenal and Man City so we are on a great run which has got us up to 14th position so that is really good for us all to see."

Sako and his Palace team-mates will take on Brighton and Hove Albion in an FA Cup third round match on Monday.