Sam aims to repair Palace defenses

Plugging the leaks in Crystal Palace's porous defense will be the first task for the south London club's new manager Sam Allardyce during its hectic Christmas schedule.

Former England boss Allardyce replaced the fired Alan Pardew on Friday with Palace just above the relegation zone thanks to the third-worst defensive record in the Premier League.

"We have a very important job of stopping the goals going in at the other end," Allardyce told the Selhurst Park club's website.