Andros Townsend insists Crystal Palace must find how to win games again between now and the New Year.
Townsend put in a sparkling display against leaders Liverpool on Saturday but it wasn’t enough as Palace slumped to a 2-1 defeat.
Palace have collected just one point from a nightmare run of fixtures against the Premier League’s top five clubs.
The former England winger says his teammates must put the frustration of losing to the Jurgen Klopp’s high-flyers behind them and focus now on the 2019 finale.
“I’m disheartened because we’ve played well enough, not only in the previous games, but [against Liverpool] and did enough to get at least a point. We’re disappointed, we wanted more,” he said, speaking to reporters.
“But we’ve got a good run between now and January where we need to be picking up points and hopefully we can pick up more points than we have in the last six games and see where it takes us come the New Year.”
Palace will feel aggrieved after James Tomkins’ goal was ruled out by VAR at 0-0 just before half-time following a disputed push by Jordan Ayew on Dejan Lovren.
“I’ve not had a chance to look at it again but I was told it was a foul,” said Townsend. “So if they’ve come to the right decision, then you can’t really argue to be honest.
“But we made sure at half-time we didn’t let it get to us, sulk or moan at the referee and made sure we got on with it. You could see that in the second half, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”
Despite the controversial VAR call, Townsend was happy with Palace’s performance against the division’s top team.
The wide man added: “I think it’s the best we’ve played this season, out of possession we didn’t drop back, we didn’t give them time on the ball, we pressed them high. We reduced them to as few chances as I’ve ever seen Liverpool create.
“But unfortunately at the end of the day, it’s why they are fighting for the Premier League because when they are not playing well, they still find a way to get the three points.”