Voices on the game... Crystal Palace

We’ve another tough London derby on the agenda on Saturday as Crystal Palace become the first two-time visitors to our new stadium, having provided the opposition for our inaugural match there in April. In our new feature here on tottenhamhotspur.com, we bring you some of the key opinions on each fixture ahead of kick-off, featuring a selection of voices from inside both clubs involved and the wider footballing world...

Jack Rosser

Crystal Palace reporter for the Evening Standard

“Overall it's been quite a good start to the season for Palace. There was a bit of concern before the start of the season over signings and then not scoring against Everton and losing against Sheffield United was a bit worrying, but since then they've turned it around. A first-ever Premier League win against United is massive and to do it at Old Trafford as well is huge. Then to back it up with a first home win of the season against Villa lifted everyone. They’ve been really good at the back, they've only conceded twice and teams are really struggling to break them down. Gary Cahill coming in has been a massive addition and everything now going forward rests on Wilfried Zaha impacting games again. He's been a bit quiet this year but that's been helped by Jordan Ayew coming out of nowhere as their Man of the Match in every game he's played so far, so all in all it's been quite an encouraging start for them.

“It will be a difficult one for Spurs. Palace know exactly what they're doing, they've worked with a similar system for two years now – it's the two-year anniversary of Roy Hodgson arriving this week – so they're clear on what they want to do and they're good at executing it but if Spurs turn up and put on a performance, then there's not a lot Palace will be able to do about it. As for returning to the new stadium at Spurs, there's a bit of frustration about the way it went last time for Palace. The occasion, with it being the first game at the new stadium, the way that overtook the game… there was only really one way you could see that night going so I think they want to go back and give a much better account of themselves this time around. It's something Hodgson has mentioned as well.”

Alan Mullery

Spurs player 1964-72, Crystal Palace manager 1982-84

“I think Roy Hodgson has done a terrific job at Palace. I actually think he’s something special as a coach and manager. He was one of the first to go to Sweden and Scandinavia to manage there. He was only 29 then. He’s now in his 70s, so he’s been in management nearly 50 years.

“I’ve known him for a long time. We both lived in Surrey and I quite often saw him at Sutton United. He has improved that football club, handled different situations well.

“It will be difficult for us on Saturday. Look at Newcastle, Steve Bruce set them up well and it will be more of the same with Roy. It will be tough, but we’re more than capable. The first goal could be key.”

Mauricio Pochettino

Spurs manager

“It will be a tough game. Palace have showed they are a strong team, a team that it’s difficult to create chances against, a team that beat Manchester United away (2-1 on 24 August). We know very well it’s going to be tough.

“I always talk about my respect for Roy (Hodgson). I admire him. He’s a great manager, he’s doing fantastically at Palace and that will make the game more difficult.”

Roy Hodgson

Crystal Palace manager

Asked whether his side needs to replicate the level of performance that saw them win at Manchester United last month, Hodgson said: “Absolutely. We're talking about two teams of a similar level. Top teams in the country, exceptionally good players, well-organised teams. If you're going to go away from home to those teams and come away with the points in your pocket, you've got to put in an exceptional performance at both ends of the field. We know what lies ahead. We've got to do our best to deliver.”

Ben Davies

Spurs defender

“Palace will come here and play the way they usually play. They have a manager who has got them set up well tactically – they’re solid and they don’t give much away. We will have to move the ball as quickly as we can, try to move them out of position and try to get that early goal so it’s not a game we’re chasing.

“Often in these games it’s all about the first goal. When I’ve played for Wales in games like this where you have to defend and have to be solid, first and foremost you make sure you don’t concede. I’m sure that will be Palace’s mindset going into it.”