Trepidation for the 26/27 Prem season ?

[JHB]

We have statistically the worst defence in the Premier Legaue. Only two games in but still. At the start of last season we had the best defence after six games.

That’s the problem right there. We conceded a goal every 30 minutes of play. We keep missing chances but no way are we scoring 3 goals a game. Unless we tighten up defensively and do so very quickly we have massive problems.

 

[ASCPFC]

We have statistically the worst defence in the Premier Legaue. Only two games in but still. At the start of last season we had the best defence after six games.

That’s the problem right there. We conceded a goal every 30 minutes of play. We keep missing chances but no way are we scoring 3 goals a game. Unless we tighten up defensively and do so very quickly we have massive problems.

It really already looks like we need an organiser and motivator in. We'll see. But get pulled apart by Fulham and Ipswich (particularly Fulham who just aren't that good) and I think the patience will not hold. We shouldn't concede any more than one or two goals in total in the next two matches combined. Concede 3 or 4 and it's good night from him.

 

[JHB]

It really already looks like we need an organiser and motivator in. We'll see. But get pulled apart by Fulham and Ipswich (particularly Fulham who just aren't that good) and I think the patience will not hold. We shouldn't concede any more than one or two goals in total in the next two matches combined. Concede 3 or 4 and it's good night from him.

Yep. I feel for Sage with so much uncertainty and I can definitely see why it is almost impossible to build fluid attacking play in those circumstances. However, defensive organisation is the core of good coaching at this level. Our defence has been a mess not just with the back three but as a team. He needs to sort this out.

As before this isn’t on Sage really but he can also be the wrong person for the circumstances. Let’s see what happens on the next two games and hope he can get hold of it

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

Sage needs to come out at the end of the transfer window and say if he is happy with the final squad, he doesn't have to slag Parish off, just say a few things didn't happen that we hoped would.

 

[park the bus]

Sage needs to come out at the end of the transfer window and say if he is happy with the final squad, he doesn't have to slag Parish off, just say a few things didn't happen that we hoped would.

"It's been a busy final transfer day, but as in previous seasons we just couldn't get the deals over the line - something to do with paperwork and incorrect email addresses. On top of that we couldn't get rid of the troublemakers - no names! - but the chairman has asked me to keep calm and carry on."

 

[ASCPFC]

Sage needs to come out at the end of the transfer window and say if he is happy with the final squad, he doesn't have to slag Parish off, just say a few things didn't happen that we hoped would.

It might actually be useful if he came out now and stated what we need. Rather than leaving it to others. I don't mean specific players but surely Sage can see what we see?
What worries me about him is, I reckon this squad would easily compete in the French Ligue. I think he needs to reevaluate what Premier League football requires. Lacroix was our most physical player in a league that rewards physicality.
We clearly lack that hugely. We're the powder puff premier League side. I'd say Brighton are tougher than us FFS. We've massively changed our identity but no one seems to notice. I'm afraid this play football rubbish just doesn't work in the Premier League. Look at last year's winners. Basically anti-football. Who are the usual biggest pussies - Spurs.
How's that been going? I think we're physically weaker than them now. And mentally - half are unconcerned to say the least. Some have actively checked out and care more about other personalities than the team. We're weak mentally too.
We need an SAS boot camp. But obviously half our squad would get injured or cry, so that's out of the question.

 

[PatrickA]

It might actually be useful if he came out now and stated what we need. Rather than leaving it to others. I don't mean specific players but surely Sage can see what we see?
What worries me about him is, I reckon this squad would easily compete in the French Ligue. I think he needs to reevaluate what Premier League football requires. Lacroix was our most physical player in a league that rewards physicality.
We clearly lack that hugely. We're the powder puff premier League side. I'd say Brighton are tougher than us FFS. We've massively changed our identity but no one seems to notice. I'm afraid this play football rubbish just doesn't work in the Premier League. Look at last year's winners. Basically anti-football. Who are the usual biggest pussies - Spurs.
How's that been going? I think we're physically weaker than them now. And mentally - half are unconcerned to say the least. Some have actively checked out and care more about other personalities than the team. We're weak mentally too.
We need an SAS boot camp. But obviously half our squad would get injured or cry, so that's out of the question.

The same thoughts have occurred to me.
For example,I've looked at Brentford this season and what an athletic and physical team, who know exactly what they are doing in every facet of the game.
A very strong and capable back four, clever players in midfield and a fast and powerful front 3.
Their buying policy is not scattergun- you can see exactly where each signing is going to fit in.
In contrast our approach looks all over the place, and no, I don't want to go to support Brentford and I know we have won more trophies than them.

 

[TheBigToePunt]

Yep. I feel for Sage with so much uncertainty and I can definitely see why it is almost impossible to build fluid attacking play in those circumstances. However, defensive organisation is the core of good coaching at this level. Our defence has been a mess not just with the back three but as a team. He needs to sort this out.

As before this isn’t on Sage really but he can also be the wrong person for the circumstances. Let’s see what happens on the next two games and hope he can get hold of it

From the moment Glasner announced he would be leaving there was moaning on this forum about not getting his replacement lined up. The general (negative) expectation was that the club would bumble around all summer before settling for a compromise appointment a week or so before the season started, leaving the new man with insufficient time to impart his ideas to the players.

In fact the total opposite happened, but the irony is that Sage arriving for duty nice and early surely makes very little difference in the circumstances. Half the players came back late from the stupid, overly long world cup. The squad isn't remotely finalised even now because the geniuses who run the game have the transfer window overlapping the actual games (so most squads are in unhappy flux at this time), and even the manager has no idea what players he's going to be working with apart from that it's probably not the ones he had in summer.

To top it all, by the time the window finally shuts we'll be playing on the Thursday/Sunday schedule for months, carting the players off all around Europe and back. It's generally thought that once a team gets on that treadmill quite a lot of the average week is given over to rest and recovery, and there isn't much time for tactical training. The logic used to be that such work was done in the summer!

The irony seems to be that whilst we got the manager in as early as possible, he might as well have stayed in France until far later for all the good it's done. When exactly is the man supposed to do his work?! He needs his actual squad (and especially his first choice XI) in the building, time to work, and ideally a couple of friendlies to give the XI the chance to practice it all. Instead, he gets the opposite.

Sadly, I can envisage Sage getting the chop by Xmas if grim necessity calls for a Dyche type. If that happens, I imagine Sage will be sat back in France, slightly baffled, and wondering why he was appointed to coach the team if no such opportunity actually ever existed.

 

[JHB]

The same thoughts have occurred to me.
For example,I've looked at Brentford this season and what an athletic and physical team, who know exactly what they are doing in every facet of the game.
A very strong and capable back four, clever players in midfield and a fast and powerful front 3.
Their buying policy is not scattergun- you can see exactly where each signing is going to fit in.
In contrast our approach looks all over the place, and no, I don't want to go to support Brentford and I know we have won more trophies than them.

Yep. Hughes apart this squad has no mongrel about it. Munoz had it but he’s out the door. Other than that it’s a team full of technically accomplished but lightweight players with a lack of leadership. Just the sort of squad we’ve seen storm the Championship and then get relegated time after time.

Our identity over the years has been having pace, power and some bite. This doesn’t feel like a Palace squad at the moment. Let’s see how it develops

 

[mtp1958]

It might actually be useful if he came out now and stated what we need. Rather than leaving it to others. I don't mean specific players but surely Sage can see what we see?
What worries me about him is, I reckon this squad would easily compete in the French Ligue. I think he needs to reevaluate what Premier League football requires. Lacroix was our most physical player in a league that rewards physicality.
We clearly lack that hugely. We're the powder puff premier League side. I'd say Brighton are tougher than us FFS. We've massively changed our identity but no one seems to notice. I'm afraid this play football rubbish just doesn't work in the Premier League. Look at last year's winners. Basically anti-football. Who are the usual biggest pussies - Spurs.
How's that been going? I think we're physically weaker than them now. And mentally - half are unconcerned to say the least. Some have actively checked out and care more about other personalities than the team. We're weak mentally too.
We need an SAS boot camp. But obviously half our squad would get injured or cry, so that's out of the question.

Sage has already said he needs a leader , in the old days there was 2 or 3 leaders on the pitch now most teams are lucky to have one , will look how we stand Wednesday morning , and I think Sage will to , its extra hard for him players leaving new ones coming in , if we can get 6 points out the next 3 matches that gives breathing space and shows we are going right direction

 

[JHB]

From the moment Glasner announced he would be leaving there was moaning on this forum about not getting his replacement lined up. The general (negative) expectation was that the club would bumble around all summer before settling for a compromise appointment a week or so before the season started, leaving the new man with insufficient time to impart his ideas to the players.

In fact the total opposite happened, but the irony is that Sage arriving for duty nice and early surely makes very little difference in the circumstances. Half the players came back late from the stupid, overly long world cup. The squad isn't remotely finalised even now because the geniuses who run the game have the transfer window overlapping the actual games (so most squads are in unhappy flux at this time), and even the manager has no idea what players he's going to be working with apart from that it's probably not the ones he had in summer.

To top it all, by the time the window finally shuts we'll be playing on the Thursday/Sunday schedule for months, carting the players off all around Europe and back. It's generally thought that once a team gets on that treadmill quite a lot of the average week is given over to rest and recovery, and there isn't much time for tactical training. The logic used to be that such work was done in the summer!

The irony seems to be that whilst we got the manager in as early as possible, he might as well have stayed in France until far later for all the good it's done. When exactly is the man supposed to do his work?! He needs his actual squad (and especially his first choice XI) in the building, time to work, and ideally a couple of friendlies to give the XI the chance to practice it all. Instead, he gets the opposite.

Sadly, I can envisage Sage getting the chop by Xmas if grim necessity calls for a Dyche type. If that happens, I imagine Sage will be sat back in France, slightly baffled, and wondering why he was appointed to coach the team if no such opportunity actually ever existed.

I do feel for Sage. It must be hard not knowing who your team players are going to be from one day to the next. Having said that it’s not like we didn’t know as a club we were going to be facing the circumstances you list above.

Given that I, like a few, wonder if we might have been better off appointing somebody with prior Premier League experience, a very clear tactical identity and who is adept at getting performances out of lesser squads. I hope Sage works out but if I were a betting man I would be having a flutter on a different person in change by November. I sincerely hope I am wrong

 

[ASCPFC]

Sage has already said he needs a leader , in the old days there was 2 or 3 leaders on the pitch now most teams are lucky to have one , will look how we stand Wednesday morning , and I think Sage will to , its extra hard for him players leaving new ones coming in , if we can get 6 points out the next 3 matches that gives breathing space and shows we are going right direction

I'd love us to get 6 points. I'm hoping for at least 4.

 

[JessieJ]

Whilst I have already alluded to my varying trepidation, which by the way has existed unchanged for 60 years of ollowing this lot, I am trying to find some perspective. One poster wrote that Lacriox was our most physical defender. I agree, but is Desasi not at least as physical? Whether he as good overall, time will tell but Lacriox wasn't up to much in the first months of his stay at CP. Other than that though I agree that for all his positives, Richards seems to have become a powder-puff and his marking is currently appalling. Same goes for Canvot despite him being built like a brick s***house. He though is still work-in-progress. Thus not much different from the first block of last season; Guehi isn't exactly physical but his reading of the play is exceptional. So, what's with Tomiyasu? Is he not a better defender than Richards at the moment assuming fitness. My point is, maybe the defnece needs to bed-down and receive better cover from the 2 6's? Which leads me to conclude that cover is needed there because the currrent 2 don't seem to be able to manage 90+ minutes. Hughes, Lerma, Doucoure to varying degrees of fitness/ability. Add an incomer to that list and we have 6 for two positions unless the system changes so to attract an adequate player when only as a squaddie appears difficult to me. I suppose the next 36 hours will show.

 

[LincolnEagle99]

Was I the only one thinking European football would lead to us assembling a better squad and starting xl but in the last year and a bit it’s done the opposite with another starter from the first xl gone in Munoz I feel if we don’t get a few more players in that improves the first xl we are in for a very long season that’s without the chance that sarr and jpm may move on too!

 

[ASCPFC]

Was I the only one thinking European football would lead to us assembling a better squad and starting xl but in the last year and a bit it’s done the opposite with another starter from the first xl gone in Munoz I feel if we don’t get a few more players in that improves the first xl we are in for a very long season that’s without the chance that sarr and jpm may move on too!

We hilariously have no players who improve the first eleven. I think that's quite an achievement.

 

[JHB]

We hilariously have no players who improve the first eleven. I think that's quite an achievement.

Yeah in terms of fit for the system, quality and characters this is, on paper, probably the weakest eleven we’ve had since Big Sam brought in Luka, PVA et al

 

[park the bus]

Was I the only one thinking European football would lead to us assembling a better squad and starting xl but in the last year and a bit it’s done the opposite with another starter from the first xl gone in Munoz I feel if we don’t get a few more players in that improves the first xl we are in for a very long season that’s without the chance that sarr and jpm may move on too!

More or less this is the content of Glasner's first publicly aired dissatisfaction regarding the club's ambitition when we entered the Conference. I agreed with him. Later Parish found £90 odd million down the back of the sofa and panic bought two mediocre players for well over the odds. Too late then, the damage was done.

 

[ASCPFC]

Yeah in terms of fit for the system, quality and characters this is, on paper, probably the weakest eleven we’ve had since Big Sam brought in Luka, PVA et al

That was another January saver wasn't it? It looks like despite having bought so many in, we're going to need January again.

 

[JHB]

That was another January saver wasn't it? It looks like despite having bought so many in, we're going to need January again.

We could certainly do with a Luka type right now. In the end he ran out of steam and became a bit of a liability but he made a massive difference in his first two and a half seasons with us.

That January we brought in players who improved the first eleven with their quality and leadership. This summer has been like a the ‘anti window’ to that one. Almost like a bad mirror image

 

[ASCPFC]

We could certainly do with a Luka type right now. In the end he ran out of steam and became a bit of a liability but he made a massive difference in his first two and a half seasons with us.

That January we brought in players who improved the first eleven with their quality and leadership. This summer has been like a the ‘anti window’ to that one. Almost like a bad mirror image

I too was thinking of that window and how it saved us. Truth is, three proven quality players would have made this window fine. Instead all have question marks. My least worry is Right back. It's only every other position we're short on - despite having the bodies. We don't have the fitness or quality up front in particular. Nketiah only ever lasts this long before the next month out. So bring back this post when he's injured in the next match. Strand-Larsen, don't know what to say. He's never done anything why does 45mil change that? Mateta - well what can I say. Laughably our best option. The minute he does ok he wants out. I presume it's because he's basically a baby. That's our best striker.
Desperation option - and yes I do have one, maybe two: Chris Wood, other: Dominic Calvert Lewin. Wood could maybe do Murray for one season. I presume he's over his injuries. Calvert Lewin looks good against us every time. I know they're bang average but they're strong and throw themselves about and I don't think they'd put up with the squad s*** we hear about. They'd maybe score 10 goals. I don't think anyone else will by the looks of things.
It would be a laugh to get Wood and their other strikers to fail too.