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Crystal Palace are pretty much safe for another season despite an indifferent performance against Manchester City last time out, and so it would seem that Roy Hodgson has done his job, albeit in uninspiring fashion.

There is no denying that given the talent that the Eagles have on their books, they could certainly be challenging for a top ten spot rather than always looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

That is the way Martin Samuel sees it, as feels their 2018/19 campaign has been wasted.

Here's what the Daily Mail columnist had to say:

"Once again, faced with superior opposition, Crystal Palace only tried to win the game having lost it.

"At Tottenham, they were 2-0 down before getting on the front foot late, and delivering several scares; against Manchester City, the same scoreline sparked life and Palace actually pulled a goal back before being caught by a counter-attack.

"Yet this isn't a weak squad. It is potentially a match for any of the six teams above them in the Premier League table, yet too often they go out to play with minimum ambition.

"Leicester are seventh, but Palace have beaten them home and away this season. They have beaten Wolves away, too. If Palace lose Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer, Roy Hodgson's caution may be justifiable.

"This season, however, has been a waste."

Indeed, the Eagles are formidable opponents on their day and have got some fantastic results this season - a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium, which Samuel declines to mention, included - however their approach when facing top teams is unbelievably boring and negative.

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He rightly believes that they should be giving a far better account of themselves than they did at Selhurst Park on Saturday considering the calibre of players they have in certain areas of the pitch.

With one of Europe's highest wage bills, the Eagles certainly shouldn't be playing it as safe as they are - it's a depressing sight and, regardless of plans to develop the stadium, there has been very little ambition at Selhurst Park this campaign.

Palace will be expecting a lot of interest in their two main stars - Wan-Bissaka and Zaha - this summer and as long as they keep both then there will be no excuse for Hodgson's unnecessary caution next season.