Neil Warnock admits the 3-1 defeat to Stoke has alerted him to the size of the challenge he faces at Crystal Palace.
Palace manager unhappy with defeat in first home game
Neil Warnock admits the 3-1 defeat to Stoke on Tuesday has alerted him to the size of the challenge he faces at Crystal Palace.
Palace drew 1-1 with Blackpool in their first game under Warnock but their display against Stoke was less encouraging.
Warnock was pleased with the attitude of his players but unhappy with the defensive lapses that proved decisive.
He said: "It was very disappointing, but it's made me realise just what a great challenge this is, especially at this stage of my career. I couldn't ask for a better one.
"It's disappointing for me, but the crowd were superb under the circumstances.
"They were bad goals to concede, they shouldn't be scoring goals at this level from those positions.
"But I can't fault the players for effort - perhaps one or two are trying too hard, the occasion got to some of them."
Praise
Stoke's victory moved them into the play-off places and manager Tony Pulis was delighted with the performance of his young side.
"I thought we needed a response after Saturday's defeat by Sheffield Wednesday," Pulis explained.
"We knew it would be difficult with it being Neil's first game (at home), and we knew the supporters would get behind the team.
"The oldest player in our back four is 22, and Palace had a good spell when we were creaking a bit but they came through it and over the 90 minutes I thought we deserved the win."
