Conceding 17 goals in seven Premier League matches is not exactly the start Pierre Sage or Crystal Palace’s hierarchy would have hoped for. The transition from Oliver Glasner’s counterattacking 3-4-2-1 formation to the Frenchman’s more aggressive approach has exposed massive weaknesses in defence, culminating with last week’s humiliating defeat at Brighton. Palace fans became used to success under Glasner and they are already looking nervously over their shoulders at the bottom three.
Even their league wins under Sage so far – against Fulham and Nottingham Forest – could have ended in defeat. Something doesn’t seem right in south London. EA There have been so many arrivals and departures on Tyneside in recent months that it’s too early to say.
Any team that sold their three best players – Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimarães in Newcastle’s case – during the summer would expect a degree of disruption. Eight signings were made, with four aged 20 and under and the others aged 24 and under, and only one (Nico González) had Premier League experience. Throw in a change of manager and an almost entirely new backroom staff and playing style three weeks before the season and teething troubles seem almost inevitable.
LT Sage is sailing extremely close to the wind and was warned after the Brighton game that things must improve quickly or he will be shown the door. It is understood that the Palace chair, Steve Parish, has yet to be convinced by the manager who led Lens to the French Cup last season and has demanded improvements in defence. After the creditable Europa League draw with Besiktas in midweek, Sunday’s meeting with Newcastle is crucial to his future.
Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna are likely candidates should Sage get sacked. Ipswich would be due substantial compensation for McKenna despite him leaving Portman Road in the summer, which could be a major hurdle. EA Very little internally but, externally, the honeymoon is over.
Newcastle paid Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli £9.5m compensation for Matthias Jaissle, convinced that the 38-year-old German and his “vertical football” were ideal fits. David Hopkinson, the chief executive, and Ross Wilson, the sporting director, are very impressed by Jaissle’s management style, particularly his collaborative approach. They appreciate that Eddie Howe’s successor is new to the Premier League, did not have a proper pre-season and is coping with a raft of injuries.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
