Palace can build on United draw and gain greater defensive solidity versus Burnley

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For a manager who is known for his caution and defensive organisation, Roy Hodgson has overseen a poor season from a defensive point of view at Crystal Palace.

Before the 0-0 draw on Saturday against Manchester United, the Eagles had only kept two clean sheets in the league, and none since September.

But the trip to Old Trafford saw Palace find a degree of defensive solidity which has largely eluded them so far this term and they were able to use that as the springboard for a far more potent attacking display which should have yielded all three points.

Wayne Hennessey and James Tomkins were among the outstanding defensive performers and Hodgson will need more of that if his side are to escape relegation peril.

Hodgson has assembled a side that is high on counter attacking speed but low on out and out goal threat, so it is imperative that the Palace backline shows the sternness usually associated with his teams.

The weekend visit of Burnley offers an opportunity to build on the resilience of Saturday’s display and create a strong foundation on which to build a survival bid.

Sean Dyche’s side have been goalshy themselves this season and Palace should be able to keep them out if they show the same spirit they took to Old Trafford.