MX23RW : Wednesday, December 12 23:06:49

Roy Hodgson says West Ham are still a threat without Marko Arnautovic

Roy Hodgson says West Ham are still a threat without Marko Arnautovic
© Reuters
The Austria striker has scored five goals this season.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has warned his side against thinking West Ham will be less of a threat without injured striker Marko Arnautovic.

The Austrian, who has scored five goals for the Hammers this season, was forced off during the first half of Tuesday night's 3-1 Premier League win over Cardiff.

Arnautovic is expected to be out of action for around a month with a thigh muscle injury.

Hodgson, though, maintains Arnautovic's absence will have little impact on the way he looks to set Palace up at the London Stadium.

"Every team we play, we are aware of the quality and the good players we will come up against, and when a team loses a player to injury or suspension, I never concern myself with that," Hodgson said.

"So many times in the past there have been situations, in particular with goalkeepers, I have been told that these players are injured, 'how lucky you are', and 'your task has become so much easier' – then his replacement has come in and got the man of the match, and we have ended up on the losing side.

"So I am exceptionally loathed to say that our task is easier because they are missing a player, I will leave that to (West Ham boss) Manuel (Pellegrini) to decide how that will affect his team.

"West Ham have a very strong squad so if any team is able to cope with injuries, then it is them."

Palace went down 3-1 at rivals Brighton in midweek, when the hosts had to play for an hour with 10 men.

But for a late consolation penalty from Luka Milivojevic, it would have been a third match out of the last four in which the Eagles failed to score.

Hodgson, though, rejected suggestions his side, still missing injured Belgian forward Christian Benteke, lacked a cutting edge in attack.

"I will accept the criticism that we haven't been as good at converting some of the chances we have created, (but) I don't believe that we lack quality," Hodgson said at a press conference reported by the club.

"Now with Connor Wickham coming back to fitness, with Jordan Ayew playing well, in my opinion, and Alexander Sorloth getting better all the time, and with Christian Benteke not that far away, I don't know that it is right to complain about a paucity of talent or ability in the forward areas.

"But of course for the number of chances we have created, we haven't scored enough goals.

"If you did take every chance that you created, it would be a very different world.

"Our performance on Tuesday didn't satisfy us, but others have and I am pretty sure the performance on Saturday will satisfy me because I know the players will be desperate to give a good performance."


Click here for more stories about Marko Arnautovic

Click here for more stories about Crystal Palace

Share this article now:
Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring during the Europa League group game between Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal on October 25, 2018
Read Next:
Arsenal 'will not offer Welbeck new contract'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1613303462842
2Manchester CityMan City1613214593641
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs16120430161436
4Chelsea16104233132034
5Arsenal16104235201534
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd167542826226
7Everton166642319424
8Bournemouth167272526-123
9Leicester CityLeicester166462120122
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves166461719-222
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham166372325-221
12Watford166372023-321
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166371922-321
14Cardiff CityCardiff1642101530-1514
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle163491322-913
16Crystal Palace1633101323-1012
17Burnley1633101532-1712
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield1624101027-1710
19Southampton161691330-179
20Fulham1623111640-249

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account