Exclusive – Lawrence: Palace team spirit eroded by players like Campana

Former Crystal Palace defender Matt Lawrence claims a lack of team spirit caused by the likes of midfielder Jose Campana led to Ian Holloway's departure.

with the club second from bottom and admitted he did not feel up to the task of trying to keep them in the Premier League.

The Eagles made 14 signings in the summer with Holloway confessing they tried to overhaul their squad too quickly for the challenge of staying up.

Lawrence agreed and told Extra Time: "It's very evident that team spirit has been completely eroded. The loss of people like [Peter] Ramage (on loan) who is very articulate in the changing room, he did bring the squad together and the team together and the fact he’s gone out on loan hasn’t helped.

"Players of maybe slightly more ability have come in but they are guys with personalities which are not as good, on and off the field, and I think that’s very noticeable. The likes of Campana have come in, he’s undoubtedly a very good player, but he’s been disruptive at clubs before and he was relatively disruptive at half-time (in the 4-1 defeat to Fulham) so I’m led to believe which is why he was brought off. 

"That team spirit has been well and truly eroded and it’s going to need a good manager to come in and cement that back together again."

Ex-Stoke manager Tony Pulis has been tipped for the hotseat with co-chairman Steve Parish saying he will approach him over the job.

And Lawrence says the Welshman is the 'ideal candidate' to take over at Selhurst Park.