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Crystal Palace fans who went to Selhurst Park for most if not all of their beloved side's home games in 2018/19 were, far more often than not, sent home with frowns on their faces and steam coming out of their ears, such was the Eagles' poor form at SE25.

The Croydon outfit won just five games at home all season but were saved from certain relegation to the second tier by their sensational away from - Palace beat sides such as Leicester, Arsenal and most notably Manchester City on the road.

It doesn't get more paradoxical, then, than Jeffrey Schlupp, Andros Townsend and Bakary Sako's insistence that the atmosphere at Selhurst Park only makes them perform better.

What did they say?

Well, speaking in eToro's latest Player Insights episode on Palace's official club website, the trio were full of praise for the SE25 faithful. Former Spurs man Townsend said:

"The noise [that the fans are] making they're going to be ready and you know it's down to you to get a result for them".

January arrival Sako followed with:

"100% the fans make the difference."

Then 2015/16 Premier League winner Schlupp stated:

"You know they're so passionate it makes us want to perform extra well to give back to them."

Form doesn't lie

Palace were often apathetic at home and took far too long to wake up and realise that, if they don't do something about it, then they'd be giving their visitors free points.

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Fortunately, season ticket holders finally got some of their money's worth when Bournemouth travelled up from the south coast to play out a 5-3 thriller with the Eagles, but this captivating contest was pretty much a one-off amidst plenty of borefests.

Roy Hodgson has previously insinuated that the atmosphere at Selhurst Park has a negative impact on his players due to the expectation to perform, so which is it? Blaming the fans when things don't go well and praising them when they do isn't a good look, that's for sure.