Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira speaks out on facing Tottenham Hotspur

Speaking in a press conference, Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira highlighted the importance of facing Tottenham. However, the former Arsenal midfielder refused to bring in the element of rivalry he had with Spurs during his days as an Arsenal player.

Tottenham are all set to take on Crystal Palace tomorrow in an early lunchtime kickoff. This will be the first league game after clubs return from the international break. The match could have a cagey affair as both sides will be playing after a two-week gap. Both sides boast of a number of stars but neither side have really been the rip-roaring type this season yet.

Palace are yet to win a game this season under their new boss. So far, they have drawn two and lost the other. That should give Spurs some encouragement. As for injuries, Palace will have the talented Michael Olise back in action. With Vieira being a former Arsenal player, he was asked if the rivalry factor with Spurs would be there.

“It is an important game for us at home and we want to do well, we want to win, we want to take the 3 points. And to allow ourselves to do that, we will have to play well to play really good football. And obviously, this is a derby. And you know we have to focus on the process of trying to get the 3 points.”

The French manager was also asked about the pressures of going into tomorrow’s game, especially with Spurs’ 100% record. Here’s what he had to say.

“It’s the team that, you know when we look at them play they are really compact. It is a big strength if you lose the ball because they are quite fast, quick on the one v one. They’ve got pace with individual talent up front. And we have to be well organized and move the ball quickly.”

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Palace will be hungry for their first win of the season and Spurs might not have it any easy. They have players such as Wilfried Zaha, Olise, Eberechi Eze and so on who can trouble our defence. Nonetheless, it will prove to be an interesting match between a side that has won all three and another yet to win.