Christian Benteke must start scoring goals to save Crystal Palace from drop, claims Clinton Morrison
CLINTON MORRISON fears Crystal Palace could be dragged back into the relegation zone if Christian Benteke doesn’t start scoring goals.
The Belgian international hit 17 goals after his £27million move from Liverpool last season, but has only found the target twice in the Premier League this campaign.
And with Palace lingering three points above the drop zone, the Eagles legend, who spent seven years at Selhurst Park, insists the big 27-year-old hitman needs to shoot his side out of trouble.
Morrison exclusively told SunSport: “He’s only scored two goals this season and for a team near the bottom he needs to start scoring more goals than that.
“I’ve been a bit disappointed with him because I know how good he is and I've spoken to a lot of Palace fans and I’m not sure he’s getting the right service.
“But when Zaha and Townsend do deliver crosses, I think Benteke does too much of his work outside the box, but I still think he’s a tremendous striker.”
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Palace go to Goodison Park on Saturday in desperate need of a win and Morrison is worried for Roy Hodgson’s side without their main man Wilfried Zaha.
He added: “I’m concerned for Palace, but Roy has done a tremendous job.
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“The run of fixtures coming up are worrying without Zaha because you don’t realise how important he is to Palace.
“They are not a one man team but when he plays he beats players and that gives space for other players to work in.
“It’s going to be difficult, but I know at Selhurst Park with those fans it’s like an extra player, so they will need the fans massively.”
With Zaha set to be sidelined for around a month and Bakary Sako out for the rest of the season, the former Republic of Ireland attacker expects the rest of the squad to step up to the plate.
Morrison continued: “It’s a huge blow, he’s been Palace’s talisman all season, and a lot of clubs have been watching him.
“I think this season, he’s playing like the Zaha everyone knows, he’s got end product, he’s scoring goals and he’s a terrific talent.
“Palace were fortunate to keep hold of him in the summer, and it’s a massive blow to lose him because he’s the man with that X factor, they just give him the ball and ask him to win the game.
“So someone else will now have to step up to the mark and do the business while he’s out.
“Zaha and Sako, who is also out, get Palace up the pitch quickly and Townsend on his own will have to do that.”
Hodgson and Sam Allardyce go head-to-head for the first time since the Toffees boss was filmed mocking the man he replaced as England boss.
Morrison expects the pair to put their differences aside and shake hands before the vital clash.
He added: “They will shake hands, two experienced managers and I think will get on with it, but the comments Big Sam made, he will be disappointed with.
“It’s a huge game and Roy will just want to take the points because the games coming up after are tough and they could struggle to get points from them.
“It’s essential they get the three points despite it being at Goodison Park and Sam will be looking for a response after getting battered at Arsenal.”
Morrison is currently assistant manager at Evo Stik Northern Premier side Mickleover Sports in Derbyshire and is taking his Uefa coaching badges.