Sunday 21 May 2017 20:23, UK
Sam Allardyce insists recruitment will be key if Crystal Palace are to improve next season in the Premier League.
Palace ended the season with a 2-0 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford, and finished 14th under Sam Allardyce having previously been involved in a relegation fight.
Palace eventually finished seven points clear of the drop zone, but Allardyce pinpointed the transfer market as the main tool for improvement at Selhurst Park going forward.
Asked what he is hoping for to improve next season, Allardyce said: "For the players to do better next season that are already here when we come back in pre-season, and for those who we hope to bring in are better than those who could be leaving the club. That's the key element, recruitment.
"The big reflection is that those wins over Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, that spell, that spell of games were massive in the run-in that we had, they played a major part in us staying in the Premier League."
Goals from youngster Josh Harrop and Paul Pogba gave United the victory, with Jose Mourinho fielding a young side in preparation for the Europa League final against Ajax on Wednesday.
But Allardyce insisted that the task was still a tough one, with those United youngsters desperate to prove themselves.
"We had a better chance than normal if you like, but young players play for Man Utd because they're good enough for Man Utd.
"With all of that experience around them, and there was a huge amount, because they had that, they got coached brilliantly by them through the game and won it.
"First half we weren't at the level we normally are. Overall defensively apart from the two goals, Man Utd haven't had a shot on target.
"Possession in the final third, lots of promise but no final product. In the end it's a bit disappointing. Second half we tried to make a fightback but we were too far behind."
