Sam Allardyce has been asked if attempting to keep a free-falling Crystal Palace in the Premier League is his toughest test as a manager.

"Defensively we are conceding too many goals.

"That's an area of my expertise. I have started working with them in that area but it hasn't worked yet.

"If at the end of the season I haven't kept them up, then it will be my toughest test."

Allardyce was asked about what was wrong with Palace, who are in 17th position in the Premier League and only one point above bottom club Hull.

"When I was at West Ham and Crystal came and thrashed us it was all about how good they were using the little possession they had," he said.

"The team has lost what it's used to be. The identity has changed."