Olise injury ‘serious’ and ‘devastating’ – Hodgson

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has verified that Michael Olise has sustained a “severe” hamstring injury, a setback that he describes as “devastating” for everyone concerned.

Fans have criticized Hodgson following Olise’s introduction at half-time during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat by Brighton, only for the winger to subsequently limp off the pitch after 56 minutes.

Palace, who were already trailing 3-0, saw Olise exit the match prematurely, adding to his previous injury woes as he had also been forced off during their prior game.

“So many things went wrong that could have gone right,” said Hodgson.

“But we don’t have hindsight and that’s the problem.”

Following the game, Hodgson justified the substitution of Olise, stating that “everyone was quite comfortable” with the former France youth international who was born in London.

“They [the medical team] told me and he told me that he was fine to be on the bench and to play in the second half. Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball,” Hodgson said.

Speaking again on Thursday, when looking ahead to Monday’s match against Chelsea, Hodgson rejected supporters’ claims that Olise already had a physical issue but confirmed he has now suffered a hamstring blow.

“It’s devastating for him, for the club, for everybody really,” Hodgson said.

“I don’t think he was carrying an injury, I think it was more fatigue.

“It’s not easy when you’ve got a player like Olise on the bench to turn around and say ‘just sit there’.”

Injuries have restricted Olise to 11 appearances so far this season but he has scored six goals and provided three assists.

“Michael is a quiet guy and that’s another part of this situation,” Hodgson said.

“Another player might have come up and said, ‘Look, I don’t think it’s worth it. I need a bit more time.’

“But that’s not fair on him, he’s just going along with what the club thinks.”

The south London club faced further setbacks as winger Eberechi Eze suffered a muscle injury during the victory against Sheffield United, while defender Marc Guehi encountered a knee issue in the match against Brighton.

With nine defeats in 15 Premier League matches, Hodgson is feeling the pressure, especially as Palace currently sits just five points above the relegation zone in 14th place.

In recent weeks, disgruntled fans have made their voices heard, displaying protest banners during games at Arsenal and Brighton, expressing dissatisfaction with the club’s management.

They also chanted “You don’t know what you’re doing” towards Hodgson when the former England boss substituted Eze after 64 minutes of an FA Cup third-round replay defeat at Everton last month.

Hodgson said the speculation is “not in my control” and will not stop him in his work.

“I think, speculation, there’s always going to be people who are having a bad run with their clubs, and at that time there is going to be speculation about the future of those people, ie the managers, so why should I be any different to that?” he said.

“It’s not in my control, that, it doesn’t affect my daily work. When I come in here, it doesn’t stop me working with the players as I think we should work with the players, it doesn’t stop me selecting the team, doesn’t stop me selecting the tactics and trying to get the team in the best possible shape to play the game.

“This is from the outside and one has no option but to let those things pass and to accept them, as a fact of football life.”

Michael Olise has sustained a “serious” hamstring injury that will be “devastating” for everyone involved, according to Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson.
Fans have criticized Hodgson for allowing Olise to limp off the field after 56 minutes during Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Brighton, despite the player being substituted on at halftime.
The 22-year-old winger Olise was substituted with Palace behind 3-0 and had previously been sent off in the previous encounter.

“So many things went wrong that could have gone right,” said Hodgson.

“But we don’t have hindsight and that’s the problem.”

After the match, Hodgson defended the decision to bring on Olise by saying “everyone was quite comfortable” with the London-born former France youth international being a substitute.

“They [the medical team] told me and he told me that he was fine to be on the bench and to play in the second half. Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball,” Hodgson said.

Speaking once more on Thursday, Hodgson acknowledged Olise had now sustained a hamstring injury but refuted supporters’ assertions that he had a physical problem prior to Monday’s game against Chelsea.

“It’s devastating for him, for the club, for everybody really,” Hodgson said.

“I don’t think he was carrying an injury, I think it was more fatigue.

“It’s not easy when you’ve got a player like Olise on the bench to turn around and say ‘just sit there’.”

Injuries have restricted Olise to 11 appearances so far this season but he has scored six goals and provided three assists.

“Michael is a quiet guy and that’s another part of this situation,” Hodgson said.

“Another player might have come up and said, ‘Look, I don’t think it’s worth it. I need a bit more time.’

“But that’s not fair on him, he’s just going along with what the club thinks.”

During the win against Sheffield United, the south London club faced additional setbacks as winger Eberechi Eze sustained a muscle injury, while defender Marc Guehi encountered a knee problem in the Brighton match.

Hodgson finds himself under pressure following nine defeats in 15 Premier League matches, leaving Palace just five points above the relegation zone in 14th position.

In recent weeks, fans have expressed their dissatisfaction, notably displaying protest banners during matches against Arsenal and Brighton. Additionally, during an FA Cup third-round replay defeat at Everton last month, supporters chanted “You don’t know what you’re doing” towards Hodgson when he substituted Eze after 64 minutes.

Hodgson acknowledged the speculation surrounding his position but emphasized that it’s beyond his control and won’t deter him from his duties.

“I think, speculation, there’s always going to be people who are having a bad run with their clubs, and at that time there is going to be speculation about the future of those people, ie the managers, so why should I be any different to that?” he said.

“It’s not in my control, that, it doesn’t affect my daily work. When I come in here, it doesn’t stop me working with the players as I think we should work with the players, it doesn’t stop me selecting the team, doesn’t stop me selecting the tactics and trying to get the team in the best possible shape to play the game.

“This is from the outside and one has no option but to let those things pass and to accept them, as a fact of football life.”

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