R1MFD8 LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Roy Hodgson of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (MB Media)
Despite trying to overcome a resolute Nottingham Forest team, Roy Hodgson feels his Palace team can be happy with a point and hailed youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi for his effort.
The manager told Sky Sports, “I think we can [be fairly satisfied], even losing [Cheick] Doucouré after yesterday’s training session and then Jeff Schlupp. “If you like, that’s two more senior players who we hoped would participate in this game here.
“I honestly believed that there were positive moments for both teams in the game. It slightly swayed. We had strong spells, and they had strong spells. Both teams, in my opinion, were prepared and determined not to reveal anything.
“I think both defenses were strong when the ball entered their end zone, but I think for us right now we have to look at it and be optimistic about it and proceed on the premise that it was always going to be a difficult game, and we kept a clean sheet,” he said.
It’s a different point. Since you always want to win at home, it wasn’t what we had hoped for because, regrettably, there is always someone standing in your way who may have different plans.
After only 25 minutes, Rak-Sakyi replaced the injured Jeff Schlupp and immediately had an impact on the right wing – importantly, both on and off the ball.
Hodgson expressed his happiness for the man. He returned from a very productive loan period. Numerous clubs expressed interest in signing him once more.
“I had to argue a little bit with him to convince him that if he genuinely wants to play in the Premier League, he is at the best environment and opportunities will come. Today, he had his opportunity, and I thought he utilized it superbly.
“He didn’t just play well with the ball; he also played well on defense. Naturally, one of the things you wonder about when you have wingers, especially talented wingers, is whether or not they will be good with the ball for the brief minutes they possess it.
Hodgson commended Forest for their defensive toughness but emphasized that his team had opportunities to win the match.
“I believe they did [challenge], particularly toward the conclusion of the game when we had to make extra adjustments due to a cramp in another player.
“We weren’t particularly pushed back in the second half of the first half, and we were trying to make use of the ball, but credit to them for their excellent defense; they didn’t give us many chances, but I think we can say we didn’t give them many either.
“The opportunities that presented themselves during the game were a little bit few and far between, but good football was played in the interim.”
