Pardew must make ‘radical changes’ to keep job

Alan Pardew is fighting for his future at Crystal Palace, and must make ‘radical changes’ in order to keep his job as manager.

Palace slipped to a dramatic 5-4 defeat against Swansea on Saturday, meaning they have now lost six consecutive Premier League games, and are without a win in seven.

After a summer of relatively high expenditure, goal difference alone is separating them from the relegation zone.

Of the 17 sides who have competed in England’s top half for all of 2016, Palace have lost the most games (20), won the fewest (five) and conceded the most goals (61) in 2016.

It is a record which has left Pardew’s role as manager shrouded in significant doubt, with The Guardian reporting that the club’s co-owners will ‘gauge the reaction of players in training’.

Dominic Fifield and Stuart James write that the club ‘will seek evidence from Pardew that more drastic steps are being taken’ to improve a defence which has conceded 26 league goals this season. Only Hull (28) have conceded more.

‘The recruitment of a defensive coach would appear to be a priority,’ the add, while it must also be proven that players are ‘still receptive to the manager’s instructions’.

Sam Allardyce was linked with the position on Monday morning, as well as former England manager Roy Hodgson.