CRYSTAL Palace winger Jerome Thomas says he and his team-mates need to improve if they are to cope with the harsh reality of life in the Premier League.
A 4-1 home defeat to Fulham last night began brightly enough for the Eagles after they took the lead after seven minutes through an Adrian Mariappa header.
But it was all downhill from there after Fulham midfielder Pajtim Kasami produced a sensational volley to equalise on 19 minutes.
Second half substitute Thomas said: “When he hit it, it just flew in and that’s the way our luck’s going at the moment and you can’t do anything about it.
“It’s a wonder strike but even with goals like that there’s always an error somewhere and we need to look at it.
“I don’t think the right-back was closed down quick enough.
“When Championship players who haven’t got any experience at this level ask me about it, there are two things I tell them.
“One is you need confidence and two is that you can’t make mistakes, because in the Championship you’ll get away with it but here you’ll get punished.”
Steve Sidwell then produced a thumping drive of his own on the stroke of half-time to put the visitors in front despite the hosts having had the best of the game up to this point.
Thomas added: “It’s not just the first goal, the second goal was a great strike as well from Sidwell.
“It’s just a harsh reality at the moment and we’re learning from the lessons.”
Two second half efforts by Dimitar Berbatov and Philippe Senderos , both from corners, killed off the Eagles.
But former Arsenal man Thomas backed manager Ian Holloway to pick his players up before the Gunners visit Selhurst Park on Saturday.
“That’s what Ian’s all about,” the winger said.
“He’s a man-motivator and Ian’s the reason why I came to the club, and the reason why so many of the signings decided to come to the club.
“But we’re all in this together as much as Ian.
“He picks the team but the players on the pitch have to produce and at the moment they are not doing it.
“It’s that simple.”
Follow @NewsShopperSprt on Twitter for live updates from Crystal Palace v Arsenal on Saturday.
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