Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said that this is the “toughest” period of his managerial career.

Hodgson is under pressure as Palace have won just once in their past five games.

Palace supporters have turned against Hodgson and the team, just as they prepare to face Chelsea.

“[Fans] are the people that we cannot afford to have turned against us, because we need them,” Hodgson said.

“It’s been the toughest period of my career for one reason, and that is that the fans have turned so much against us.

“If we’re going to win the games, and this team is going to do well, they’re not going to be able to do it if the fans are going to be constantly up in arms about everything that’s happening.

“Apart from that, it joins a lot of other periods of my life where I’ve been happier and more content, of course.”

Hodgson added: “We in particular need [supporters] now because we are in a very weakened situation, and we could do with their assistance and sympathy, because there will be players playing on Monday night that have not played that many games in the Palace first team.

“They’re going to need a sympathetic eye rather than the ultra-critical.”