Crystal Palace head coach Pierre Sage has two matches to change the direction of the club’s season, with chairman Steve Parish demanding a defensive improvement and greater tactical flexibility.
Sage’s position is under serious pressure despite Palace’s results being broadly in line with expectations, aside from their home defeat by Ipswich, when they played with 10 men for more than an hour.
The concern at Selhurst Park is the manner of the performances. Palace have conceded 17 goals in seven Premier League matches, the highest total in the division, and have too often appeared easy to play against.
Palace will face Besiktas and Newcastle in the coming fixtures, with Sage expected to use both games to demonstrate that he can address the team’s defensive weaknesses. Results alone may not be enough to secure his future.
There have been positive spells, including in some of Palace’s victories, but Sage’s side have struggled to control matches. Their attacking threat has also been affected by Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr not yet operating at full speed.
The Frenchman, who has cut a cheerful figure in public since his appointment, has appeared increasingly frustrated in recent press conferences. He is also competing with a number of experienced managers who are currently available.
Thomas Frank, Gareth Southgate and Domenico Tedesco were admired by members of the Palace hierarchy during the summer, while Frank Lampard and Kieran McKenna also attracted strong interest before Sage was appointed. McKenna would reportedly command an £8 million fee if hired before June next year.
Crystal Palace defensive problems increase pressure on Pierre Sage
Sage’s supporters believe he has faced difficult circumstances. Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi were not adequately replaced in defence, while the suspension of Axel Disasi, signed as the new leader of the back line, has further disrupted the team.
Injuries to Chadi Riad and Takehiro Tomiyasu have also limited Sage’s options. Palace have named the same back three only once in all competitions, making it difficult to establish continuity at the heart of the defence.
There are midfield concerns too. Adam Wharton has struggled to reproduce his best form, particularly against Brighton, while Daichi Kamada has been used in a more advanced role. Quinten Timber made a lively start to his Palace career but may need to adopt a more disciplined approach while the side continue to concede heavily.
Timber’s hamstring injury could force Kamada into a deeper position, potentially providing Sage with an opportunity to rebalance the midfield. Palace’s fans, however, are likely to become increasingly impatient if the defensive performances do not improve.
Despite reports that some players have been unhappy with Sage’s communication, the majority of the squad are understood to remain behind him. Timber has also expressed his belief that the manager can turn the situation around.
Sage left Champions League football to take charge in the Premier League, but now faces a decisive period. To remain in the job, he must show he is prepared to adapt both his methods and his team.
