Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira Monday conceded he wanted more players to strengthen his squad
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira Monday conceded he really wanted more players to strengthen his squad, and made light of hopes the group could mount a serious test to the top clubs this season.
The Eagles finished twelfth in the English Premier League and made the FA Cup semifinals in the Frenchman's first year in control, with the mean to improve this season.
Yet, the previous Arsenal and Manchester City star said securing European football for the south London club would probably be a step excessively far.
"No, no, no, no, no," he said when asked about the prospect by AFP in front of their clash with Manchester United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
"What is significant as far as we're concerned is to attempt to improve, of course, from last year, the manner in which we need to play the game.
"I think we had a great season and one of the ways to improve is to work on the squad. We are still short in the quantity of players that we have.
"Ideally we will make a couple more signings and that will assist us with being more ambitious."
Palace have so far signed Mali midfielder Cheick Doucoure from Lens, England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from West Brom and Derby striker Malcolm Ebiowei.
Vieira wouldn't be drawn on who else he was later.
Making his work more troublesome is the way that several first-group regulars are not on their pre-season visit, with just 11 senior players in a 26-man squad loaded with youngsters.
Stars including Wilfried Zaha, Christian Benteke, Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Cheikhou Kouyate all stayed in London, either not fit or didn't meet section requirements for Singapore or Australia.
Vieira conceded having two separate squads on various continents was a significant disadvantage and could hamper the start to their season, which kicks off the following month against his old club Arsenal.
"It is troublesome and testing because it hasn't permitted us to play more games together and work on the strategic basics together," he said.
"We realize that it will take two or three games before the group really gels together and has a decent understanding.
"In any case, we need to manage it and consider various ways of working and start the first game against Arsenal as best as we can."
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