Luton winger Townsend criticises Palace for Hodgson hire

Luton Town winger Andros Townsend has questioned Crystal Palace's rehiring of Roy Hodgson last season.

Hodgson is now under increasing pressure after defeat to Chelsea last night.

Former Palace winger Townsend told BBC Sport: "They went with the young up and coming manager [Vieira] who wants to play on the front foot and keep possession.

"From the outside, it looked like it was working. Yes, they had a sticky period [under Vieira], but it looked like it was working in a three-year plan, they were moving forward and I think they got to an FA Cup semi-final.

"They were progressing in the league and playing good football and they decided to go back to Roy Hodgson.

"Hodgson at 75/76 years of age is not going to suddenly come out of retirement and be Pep Guardiola, you know what you are going to get from him, solidity. I don't now what they expected this time around."