Shakespeare: Feet On The Ground

There is little time to reflect on Sunday’s remarkable achievement with another tough test away to Crystal Palace around the corner on Saturday, and the assistant manager knows his players will need to be fully focused on the task at hand. 

“We’re five games in and our good start is well documented,” Shakespeare said. “Sunday’s result makes people stand up and take notice, but it’s nothing that we’re not ready for and their feet are still firmly on the ground. 

“It’s the best league and the most unpredictable league in the world, but we were wanting that from the first day we secured promotion last season. This season we know it’s high profile and we know what it’s about. 

“We’re dealing with it and there’s a bit of humility about the place. In sport you have to have that humility, because if you haven’t got it we know that it can kick you in the teeth. We know we have to be ready for every game and the challenges they bring. 

“We know that we’ve got a talented group of players but we also know that they’re a group that will keep their feet on the ground. They know what has got them the results so far and that’s hard work. 

“We said to the players after the game to enjoy the moment and make sure they remember the occasion, but when they come back for training to prepare for Crystal Palace, which will be a very tough game after they went away and beat Everton.” 

So with the team’s sights now fixed firmly on the trip to Selhurst Park to face Neil Warnock’s Eagles before a home clash with Sean Dyche’s Burnley, Shakespeare is aware of how difficult it will be to maintain the current form. 

He added: “We have to pick the right team to win. Palace have a new manager and had a great result away at Everton and Burnley keep clean sheets and are very difficult to score against. They bring different challenges, but there are no easy games. We have to go with the right mentality and focus. 

“We look at the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and pick our team accordingly. Last year we had a settled team and picked the same team a lot of the time. 

“This season I think you have to be a bit more adaptable and give yourself the best possible chance to win the game, but also not conceding too early. 

“We all knew when the fixtures came out that it would be a tough start, but I have to say that the belief in the changing room and the belief among the players and staff has been incredible. 

“I think this group can achieve a lot this season. We haven’t set targets in terms of points but we aim to be competitive in every game. Where that will take us we don’t know.”