Sam Allardyce has worse record than Alan Pardew as Crystal Palace manager

SAM ALLARDYCE has a worse record as Crystal Palace manager than Alan Pardew endured before he was sacked.

Former England boss Allardyce was brought in to Selhurst Park to guarantee Premier League survival following their poor start to the season.

But in his seven league matches in charge, Allardyce has performed worse than his predecessor had in the seven matches before he was sacked in December.

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Allardyce has always been a stickler for statistics - but the facts don't lie that he has made no difference to a team that is now slumped just a point off the bottom of the league.

And the woeful manner of the team's display as they crashed 4-0 at home to relegation rivals Sunderland has set the alarm bells ringing in south London.

Allardyce has lost five and won just once in the Premier League since he took charge of the Eagles just before Christmas.

Pardew had a similar record in his last seven games in charge when the Palace hierarchy decided he had lost his way with the side.

But at least Pardew had his team scoring goals, the team hit the net 14 times in that run.

Palace have only scored four times under Allardyce, and conceded just as many as they did when Pardew was failing.

It has led to questions being asked among the supporters whether Allardyce has lost his magic touch in being able to turn around a failing side.

Not only has he been unable to make any difference to one of the most fragile defences in the league, he has managed to make them less of a threat going forward.

Palace now face a crucial run of matches where the team have to deliver performances and results if they are to lift the confidence around the club.

The travel to Stoke next week before a home match against fellow strugglers Middlesbrough when they can ill-afford a repeat of their shambolic display against Sunderland.

Palace will need to get points on the board quickly - for there last 11 matches of the season include matches against all of the current top six.