CRYSTAL PALACE stars are desperate to impress new boss Sam Allardyce against Watford on Monday.
The Eagles have been licking their wounds after a run of just one win in 11 games saw Alan Pardew axed last week.
That torrid set of results has left the Selhurst Park club just a point above the relegation zone — but Palace coach Keith Millen is backing the club’s new manager Allardyce to get them flying again.
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He expects to see a dramatic improvement in their performances, starting with the lunchtime kick-off at Vicarage Road.
Millen said: “It is amazing how resilient the players can be. We have a big game against Watford and they have to go out and deal with it.
“The players are hurting. There is no doubt about that. But their attitude and confidence is good.
“And that gives you hope that whoever comes in has a lot to work with.
“They are lacking in a little bit of confidence but I have seen a lot worse and these players are ready.
“There is no way they have downed tools. The reaction is usually there when a new manager comes in.
“When a manager leaves, some players are sad and others feel as though they have got a second chance.
“But, as a group, they realise just how important the Watford game is — and I do think that you will see a positive reaction.”
Pardew paid the price after his “expansive style of football” failed to work at Palace.
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Now Millen, briefly placed in temporary charge after Pardew’s axe, is determined to stop them from leaking goals.
He added: “We need to get the balance right between attacking and defending. We have spoken about changing our philosophy.
“We’ve been pleasing to the eye going forward but we have not kept enough clean sheets.
“In previous years when we have been in trouble, keeping clean sheets has been the backbone of our success, so we need to get back to being a solid team.
“It is still really tight down the bottom of the table, we have not been cut adrift. We need to get a result. We have Arsenal after Watford and then the Swansea game.
“One win and you can pull clear of trouble.”
Millen, 50, has been at Selhurst Park since 2012 as Ian Holloway’s assistant.
During his time there he has also worked under Tony Pulis and Neil Warnock.
However, the popular coach says he is unsure whether he will be retained as part of former England manager Allardyce’s backroom team.
He said: “I have feared for my job every time. It’s out of your control really.
“Previously, I have just got on with my job to the best of my ability.
“You can be the best manager or coach in the world and still lose your job sometimes.”
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