Joel Ward says Crystal Palace’s players were left surprised and disappointed following the sacking of Patrick Vieira.
Vieira was dismissed last week, following a run of 12 matches without a win and four games without a goal – which left Palace looking over their shoulder.
Interim boss Paddy McCarthy took charge of Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Premier League leaders Arsenal, which leaves them three points above the relegation zone.
‘Anything like that comes as a bit of a surprise,’ Ward said of Vieira’s departure.
‘The tough thing in football is that it’s a results business and we had a tough run of games and the hierarchy have made the decision about the direction they want to go and we have to respect that and make sure as a club right from the top, fans to players, we all get together and take care of business.