Friday 24 February 2017 13:48, UK
Sam Allardyce admits he is "struggling" to exert his influence on Crystal Palace as he tries to steer them clear of the relegation zone.
Palace have lost six of their last seven Premier League games - including a humiliating 4-0 defeat to struggling Sunderland - and are second from bottom in the table, winning just once since Allardyce replaced Alan Pardew before Christmas.
Allardyce has historically had a positive impact at Bolton, Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland - but admits Palace are still waiting for the 'Big Sam effect'.
"I've not managed to sort this club out as quick as I have the others, that's the frustration for me," he said ahead of Saturday's vital clash with relegation rivals Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park.
"I haven't had as big an influence as I'd expected here, in terms of results. I'm struggling with players keeping the message and game plan."
Allardyce says the players need to shake off a feeling of negativity, on the pitch and in the stands.
"Go and remember back to the good times, when you played really well," he said. "Watch those games, see how you played and bring it on Saturday. We're in a fight, a scrap. We've got to be uglier than we have been.
"The players have to accept a lot of them have not played to their best consistently. They need to stop being too negative about themselves.
"The fans can pass nervous energy to the players and vice versa. We've all got to stay positive. Our responsibility is to remove nervousness."
Asked what his key message to his players would be this weekend, he said: "Just stop the goals lads. It's not a difficult question for them to answer, not a difficult task.
"If we could win tomorrow it'd be great. If we could give the fans something to sing about that'd be great."
