Steve Parish: Crystal Palace don't look at angry West Ham scenes and think 'that is great for us'

The mood has turned toxic at some clubs in the battle against relegation from the Premier League.

Last Saturday, the fractious atmosphere at West Ham resulted in furious demonstrations against co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan.

There is also division at West Brom with Alan Pardew facing the sack after seven straight defeats, while Southampton this week dismissed Mauricio Pellegrino following months of unrest among supporters about poor results and their conservative style of play.

But Crystal Palace remain united despite a run of four straight defeats that has left them in the bottom three. Palace fans have faith in Roy Hodgson and have been encouraged by good displays against Tottenham, Manchester United and in the second half against Chelsea.

The Eagles travel to Huddersfield on Saturday in a crucial match in the relegation scrap and speaking to chairman Steve Parish it is clear that he takes heart from the atmosphere around Selhurst Park.

“The positivity for us is great,” Parish told Standard Sport. “I think we will need that. Sometimes I think fans think we just say it but it does mean so much to the players.

“It is massive if they stay behind you. When you are down at Chelsea last Saturday... we did not play well in the first half and when the fans keep signing it is massive.

“We will need that. Four of our last eight are at home. And I think we are taking 2,000 to Huddersfield. Massive away support and they will make the noise of 10,000 as they always do. They will be as much a part of it as anyone.

“I have got every faith in Roy, Ray Lewington, Steven Reid and the staff. The atmosphere is great, people can see that on the pitch, the planning is great and the application of the players is great. As the manager has said it is going to be about our big players.”

In that respect, Palace’s situation has been improved this week by Wilfried Zaha, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mamadou Sakho and Yohan Cabaye all being in contention to play on Saturday.

Their availability has added to the optimism around the club, while West Ham, who are three points above Palace, were rocked by the ugly scenes at the London Stadium against Burnley.

Parish said: “I do not wish what happened at West Ham on anyone. I do not look at that and think ‘that is great for us’. I know David Sullivan and David Gold. None of us are going to get this right in everything we do. It is impossible.

“I know those guys have got their heart and soul in that club. These are nice people who do everything they can for that club. Things do not go wrong on purpose.

“I understand people get angry but I think we have got to keep some perspective. This is meant to be fun. Three teams have got to get relegated. And everyone is trying as hard as they can to stay in the league.

“Of course it is fine to debate that and it is fine to criticise and have a point of view. But nobody can say that is fine. Two guys who are just doing their best — and are not even in the relegation zone.”

Parish is confident Hodgson will keep Palace up and he hopes the 70-year-old can bring a period of stability to the club after they have gone through six permanent managers in five years. Hodgson signed a two-year deal when he replaced Frank de Boer in September and has said he is open to the possibility of signing a contract extension.

Parish hopes Hodgson will extend his stay at Selhurst Park beyond his deal.

“Of course that is what we want,” he said. “Particularly with everything else that is going on. The last thing you want to be doing when you are trying to build stadiums and improve the academy and all that stuff is having that upheaval.

“Although he has not been here long it feels like he has,” Parish added. “Everything is well managed, well organised, consistent. The players believe in him. He has an affection for the club. Of course, in a perfect world, that is what would happen.”