Palace defender Tomkins backs Allardyce to succeed

James Tomkins has stressed that everyone in the Crystal Palace camp believes Sam Allardyce will drag them out of the relegation zone.

Allardyce – who has never been relegated from the Premier League as a manager – joined in December but has won only one and lost six of his eight games since taking charge.

Palace lost for the second game in a row as Stoke beat them 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium which leaves them in 19th, two points from safety.

Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Allardyce’s side have seemingly addressed their defensive concerns as they looked a lot more solid at Stoke despite eventually losing the game but they looked worryingly blunt in attack.

But Tomkins told the club website that they are ready for the visit of fellow strugglers Middlesbrough in two weeks and the whole squad is fully behind their new boss.

“It’s another big game,” he said.

“We’ll keep going and there is no better man in charge to get us out of this situation.

“We all believe in him and all the lads believe in each other; we’ve got a good dressing room with a lot of experience in there.

“That will be important with the games coming up and in this situation – we’ll stay positive and hopefully get a big win in the next game.”