Sam Allardyce says Crystal Palace's match vs Hull is 'bigger than a cup final'
Tuesday 9 May 2017 07:54, UK
Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce has called for a positive mindset against Hull on Sunday, a game he describes as "bigger than a cup final".
A point for Palace would be enough to keep the Eagles in the top tier of English football, while Hull's damaging loss to Sunderland last weekend has left Marco Silva's side one point behind 17th-placed Swansea.
Palace have the advantage of playing the game on home soil at Selhurst Park and Allardyce admitted: "The game is bigger than a cup final.
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"You are part of one of the biggest sporting brands in the world. It keeps the club buoyant and the south London area active and alive.
"So it is a massive game for us all, and our players have to hold their nerve and produce a massive performance."
Allardyce says his players will need to show excellent mental strength during the final two weeks of the season - both on and off the pitch.
"Put your best game in your mind for the rest of the week and say to yourself on a daily basis, 'that is what I am going to produce'," he added.
"Mindful rehearsal is very important. If the players get positive thinking right from the start of the week, it will help them with a nervy state of affairs."
