Dann reveals changes at Palace

Crystal Palace captain Scott Dann has lifted the lid on how manager Sam Allardyce has shaken up their weekly timetable in order to try and spark ascent up the Premier League table.

Since Allardyce assumed control on December 23, Palace have lost seven of the 11 fixtures that preceded Saturday’s home game with Middlesbrough.

It was not supposed to be like this of course. Allardyce has had a positive effect in the early days of almost every job he has taken.

But Palace have not climbed a single place since the 62-year-old former England manager arrived at Selhurst Park.

In an effort to help halt their slide, the Palace hierarchy sanctioned the January signings of defenders Mamadou Sakho and Patrick van Aanholt as well as midfielders Jeffrey Schlupp and Luka Milivojevic.

But rather than hope the injection of fresh blood will spark a turnaround, Allardyce has made further changes.

“Things have changed in training since the new staff have come in and there are lots of new ideas,” said defender Dann.

“We’ve swapped the days off and we’re working a lot harder earlier in the week with some intense, but enjoyable, sessions.

“Everyone in the changing room likes to work hard and that’s what we’ve been doing, and hopefully that’ll start paying off when it comes to match days.”