Sage Under Fire as Palace Struggles Continue
Pierre Sage has stepped into some big shoes at Crystal Palace, taking over from Oliver Glasner, who led the club to an FA Cup win and a European trophy. However, just four months into a three-year contract, the new boss is feeling the heat as his side finds itself in the relegation zone after a dismal start to the Premier League season.
The Eagles have gone winless in their last four matches, and fans were left disappointed after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at home. The boos echoed around Selhurst Park, particularly after the team's 5-0 thrashing at Brighton just a week earlier.
In his post-match press conference, Sage addressed questions about his future, insisting that the chatter surrounding the club is merely “noise.” He acknowledged the fans' frustrations, stating, “The boos are normal because we don’t have the results.”
Sage, who previously enjoyed success in Ligue 1 with Lens, emphasized the need for focus on solutions rather than distractions. “Inside, we are just really focused on solutions. How to be better, to create the conditions to compete,” he said, trying to maintain a brave face amidst the growing uncertainty.
The Frenchman recognized that fans can lose patience when results aren’t going their way. “It’s normal that people lose patience when you lose, because everybody wants to win. Today it was not the case,” he admitted, reflecting on the club’s struggles.
Since Sage took over, Palace has managed only seven points from eight league games. They kicked off the season poorly with losses to Everton and Manchester City, followed by a much-needed win against Fulham. However, the joy was short-lived as they fell to newly promoted Ipswich and then drew against Leeds before their recent loss to Newcastle.
Palace’s defensive woes have been alarming, with the team conceding 19 goals in just eight matches, marking them as the worst in the league. Their upcoming fixtures don’t offer much respite, as they prepare to face a resurgent Tottenham next Saturday, followed by a home match against Liverpool on November 8.
French football expert Julien Laurens pointed out that Sage needs to adopt a more ruthless approach. He recalled how Sage felt sympathy for Fulham after Palace’s first win of the season, suggesting that in the Premier League, there’s no room for such sentiments. “You can’t feel sorry for the opposition you have just beaten, especially when this is your first win,” Laurens remarked.
Sage’s approach at Lens was characterized by aggressive pressing and quick transitions, leading to plenty of scoring opportunities. However, that style hasn’t translated to success at Palace. Laurens believes Sage needs to adjust his tactics to fit the demanding nature of the Premier League.
Former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin echoed this sentiment, saying that being too nice won't help Sage keep his job. “Things can’t be lovely when you are a Premier League manager. You will just lose games and get sacked,” he noted.
As Crystal Palace fans grow anxious, the question remains: will Sage still be at the helm when the team faces fellow strugglers Coventry City on November 21?
