After leading them to the Championship play-off final, Wilfried Zaha has the potential to reach the very top.
Zaha, who is set to join Manchester United this summer, netted two goals as Palace triumphed over Brighton with a score of 2-0, securing a place at Wembley against Watford on Monday, 27 May.
Crystal Palace’s manager, Ian Holloway, commented: “He’s a genius, a wonderful boy, and he’s passionate about Crystal Palace.
“He made the difference. I genuinely believe he can become a world-class player.”
Since his transfer to Manchester United was announced in January, Wilfried Zaha had scored only once and had not found the net away from home since October. Despite his immense talent, the England international, 20 years old, did not secure any end-of-season player accolades at Crystal Palace. Holloway remarked, “How is it possible that he didn’t win an award? So we all came together and got him one.”
Having left Blackpool to take on the Palace position in November, Holloway arrived while the London club was in fourth place in the league.
Initially seen as strong contenders for automatic promotion, the Eagles faced a downturn at the end of the season. Zaha had previously been “getting some stick recently,” as Holloway put it, but he expressed his happiness that the winger scored twice.
Palace went through a stretch of nine matches without a victory, nearly losing their playoff qualification, and Holloway stated they had just come through their “toughest test.”
He added, “Now, I think we are feeling considerably more positive. It’s challenging to step into a club when everything seems fine; I’m not accustomed to that.
“Each of them gave their all tonight. They exemplified bravery. A couple of weeks ago, they didn’t feel that way due to the pressure we were under. Losing our 30-goal star [Glenn Murray], many had written us off, but that’s not the way to think. If Brighton had scored first, I doubt I’d be here doing the winning interview now.”
Interestingly, the only Championship play-off final in the past four years that did not involve Ian Holloway took place in 2011, with Blackpool having secured a spot in the Premier League after winning the previous final.
Holloway has recently expressed his frustration over suggestions that his players had lost confidence in him during their challenging period.
“People suggested I’d lost the dressing room, but I know exactly where it is—down the hallway on the left,” he remarked. “What absolute nonsense. How many other teams have had their struggles? It’s absurd.
“I don’t require motivation from anyone. I’m aware of what I’m doing. Adjusting to a different style takes time. Brighton’s manager, Gus Poyet, had three years to establish their approach.
“I’m thrilled for my club; it truly feels like my club now. I was initially in a losing position, but now I’m on top because these players are incredible.”
Holloway is now set to participate in three of the last four Championship play-off finals, having won in 2010 and lost the previous year, both with Blackpool.
“I’ve experienced that, but my players haven’t,” he said. “I can bring a sense of calm to the situation. I wasn’t always patient, but I’m bursting with pride. We have two weeks to prepare for a fantastic occasion.”
by Terence Johns
