Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell says that Patrick Vieira is asking him to play a more attacking role in the team this year after taking over from Roy Hodgson.
Palace's style was often questioned under Hodgson, despite the club going through an unprecedented level of stability in the Premier League under the former England manager, who led the Eagles to four straight years of survival.
Hodgson had some fair rebuttals to the criticisms, especially when regarding other teams who may have played 'better' football but ultimately did not do enough to survive in the top flight.
But with the changing of the guard at the head of the club, an evolution in style is already being introduced.
Palace picked up their second straight 1-0 victory in pre-season with a win against Ipswich Town following the same scoreline against Walsall the week before.
In both games the match was settled by a solitary strike from Wilfried Zaha, but there was no question of who the dominant team was at Portman Road, with Palace on top from almost the first whistle until Vieira decided to ring the changes.
Some sloppy finishing and questionable decision-making meant the gap was not larger between the teams, with Palace holding the ball well and pressing high up the pitch.
Mitchell at left-back was playing as more of a winger when Palace were on the ball, and he says that Vieira is asking for more from him in an attacking role.
"I think the things that have changed in my game personally: I'm more attacking," Mitchell told football.london.
"There's more emphasis on me getting forward and joining in on the attacks.
"It's something that I feel is going to add to my game. I'd love to get more goals here and there and more assists, and show a different side to me.
"It's an exciting time going into the new season, so I'm definitely looking forward to it."
Palace have fixtures lined up against Charlton, Reading and Watford before the season kicks off on August 14, with a trip to Chelsea the first of four London derbies in a row.
Vieira's squad will face Brentford, West Ham and Spurs before heading to Liverpool midway through September in what will be a difficult start to the season.
