Crystal Palace

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle United (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah will be available for selection "earlier than expected" after returning from injury: "They worked pretty hard on their rehab, and also the medical staff did an amazing job, so that's why they are available."

• Glasner did accept both players will still have to manage their minutes.

• He added that there is a "better situation in the squad", with some other players also coming back from injury and getting "one more week of training" in their legs ahead of a three-game week.

• On managing his squad with getting results during the busy festive period: "Every player who starts must be able to perform at their top level, otherwise they don't start. We tell every player not to manage their game - we don't want them to play with 80% so they can play longer. We want everybody playing from the first second, for as long as possible, with their highest intensity."

• He acknowledged that Crystal Palace have been "giving the ball away too easily" in front of goal and believes his centre-backs will need to be "very focused and always concentrated" when dealing with Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

• His perception of Eddie Howe's side is one with a "clear structure" and he expects them to set up in their usual 4-3-3 formation: "They are an aggressive team who enjoy being very direct, playing forward and bringing the ball into the box quite early. They like having five or six players in attack, with a lot of pace in behind and on the wing."

• On the Eagles' current position in the Premier League: "We aren't happy with being 19th in the table - this is the truth. Earning eight points after 12 games is not something we can say is fine or leaves us in a good position."

• He feels the performances are "getting better" but the output hasn't been "good enough".

• Finally, he praised "hard-working and determined" Justin Devenny: "I'm quite happy with him. In his second game, he played in his second position because we are convinced that he can do this. I'm really pleased he plays with confidence and isn't shy. He is showing why he deserves to start - all credit to him."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Full commentary of Crystal Palace v Newcastle from 15:00 GMT on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is keen on rejoining Chelsea, while Newcastle United are also still interested in the centre-back. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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We asked you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Paddy: This season is finished already. All we have is a relegation fight on our hands. I don’t warm to Oliver Glasner - I’m sure he’s a nice bloke but for me, he’s not a Palace man. There’s nothing to get excited about at the moment. Maybe relegation would be a good thing.

Sam: Loaning out promising players: Palace were criticised for not sending Jesurun Rak-Sakyi out on loan last season and he's gone this time but it feels like he'd be useful to have now with Michael Olise gone and Eberechi Eze injured. And David Ozoh put in some great performances last year and would surely have started some recent matches if he weren't away on loan.

Simon: One aspect the club needs to focus on is finding competition for Tyrick Mitchell. With Tayo Adaramola not yet ready and Jeffrey Schlupp out of contract, this is one area that has been criminally overlooked for several seasons.

Abdulaziz: Crystal Palace is a whole new team now and I feel like no-one really knows where it's going. If the manager is playing the long game for the team, I really hope we see something soon.

John: How absolutely appalling Jean-Philippe Mateta is - we should never have got rid of Odsonne Edouard on loan. Mateta consistently misses chances (such as the one against Villa) and then acts up to the crowd to regain favour with the fans. Bring back Edouard.

Image source, Getty Images

Just three of Crystal Palace's 10 Premier League goals this season have been scored in home games, both a league-low total and percentage (30%) in the division so far.

Arsenal have held talks over the potential signing of England midfielder Adam Wharton, with Crystal Palace valuing the 20-year-old at around £54.1m. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Crystal Palace have endured a difficult start to the season and are yet to really build any momentum from their first and only win of the season against Tottenham in October.

Currently in 19th, at least there were some spirited signs in the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.

While plenty has been written about recruitment over summer and the drop-off from the final games of last season, you are watching your club more closely than us.

So what is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad - that really should be on the agenda?

Let us know, external

Jay Crame
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There is little doubt that there is a player in Daichi Kamada that Crystal Palace desperately need to break out of his shell.

The Japanese international has clearly struggled to acclimatise to the Premier League and it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why.

Oliver Glasner brought him in as a player that he knew the strengths of and a player that knew the system that he wanted Palace to adopt, but it just has not worked out so far.

Even with a couple of goals to his name, the harsh sending off against Fulham has set him back even further and he will know more than anyone that he has disappointed so far this season.

The problem Palace have is that they cannot afford to have a player taking time to settle, but he will need time to adapt to the country, the league, and South London. Patience is key, even if we don’t have much of it.

The squad is paper thin but the biggest problem we face as a club is trying to replace a player as good as Michael Olise. That has had a detrimental effect on Kamada as many have seen him as the replacement which heaps plenty of pressure on him.

It is known that Glasner wants to give youth a chance and we have seen that, albeit due to injury, with Justin Devenny, but reinforcements are needed.

Against Fulham we had a midfield with zero experience but the attacking options are limited while there should be enough with returning players defensively.

Competition for Tyrick Mitchell would not go amiss but attacking midfield and wide options are very much needed in January because we have seen the real lack of creativity now Olise has gone and more so when Eberechi Eze is injured.

Find more from Jay Crame at The Eagles Beak, external

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

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Following an international break that offered time off for the coaching staff and players not on international duty, a daunting eight-game run - nine if you include a cup fixture - lay in front of Oliver Glasner.

The task of a classic British winter fixture list would be a challenging first experience for any manager, even without the added context of the team's league position.

Aston Villa were the first of three Champions League qualifiers from last season that Glasner will face in the next four weeks. Aside from clashes against the other two relegation zone occupiers, it is unlikely the Eagles will be favoured in any fixture on paper.

So, what can we take from an opening draw to begin this run of games?

A point gained, especially away from home, is an unexpected point banked, even if the team had led on two occasions.

It would undoubtedly appear there is no lack of effort or loss of faith in the manager. It was inevitable that a team with quality such as Ollie Watkins would generate chances and, as happened, take some of those - but the team competed for the entire match.

Cheick Doucoure, in only his second league start in a year because of injuries, looked to knock off some rust that comes with extended time away from playing, with Jefferson Lerma making an on-field return with Chris Richards in the second half.

With Eberechi Eze set to be a part of the Newcastle match this coming weekend, the team certainly has more options to call on - and others a few weeks away. The manager will finally have reinforcements available.

As far as the Premier League table presents it, the current predicament is less than ideal. Other results may also go against the club week to week, but it is down to Palace and Glasner to run their own race.

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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It would be fair to say that Crystal Palace's season has not gone to plan so far.

They have just one win in the Premier League and have had to deal with a number of injury issues to key players throughout the campaign.

However, the emergence of Justin Devenny has been a positive note to lift supporters in a tough time.

Devenny made an unexpected Premier League debut starting against Fulham before the international break earlier this month.

The 21-year-old impressed fans by coming into a team in difficult circumstances and holding his own.

Supporters of most clubs enjoy seeing young players coming through the ranks and Devenny is no different for the Palace fans, even though he joined the club in 2023 from from Scottish Championship side Airdrieonians.

He then backed up that impressive start to top level football with a goal against Aston Villa on Saturday, scoring on a quick Eagles counter-attack.

Devenny may find it hard at this stage of his career to hold down a starting spot when all of Palace's key men such as Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton return.

But he has done enough already to show that he can be called upon as a good squad player, which will be pleasing to manager Oliver Glasner ahead of a busy fixture list in December and January.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, which finished in a 2-2 draw.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Mark: Too slow to distribute from the back and the midfield was non-existent in the first half. No idea why Tielemens gets the nod for penalties ahead of Watkins, McGinn or Bailey. Barely deserved a point against a side in a relegation battle. We have to do so much better.

Jason: The players need a kick up the backside. Too slow, not physical enough, too many changes, too much daydreaming in the middle of the pitch. Palace took advantage of our apathy and we struggled again. Not a game I want to watch back.

Dean: Can't fault the players' efforts, but so many are way below last season's levels, especially in the attacking third. Half a team not available so very glad to get the international games out the way. Beat Juventus, then aim to win our next two home games and we aren't too badly off. Kamara for me is our Rodri, so think we coped better than them.

Davo: Fair result after Palace snatching two breakaway goals. We still look vulnerable at the back but could have easily scored 2-3 more goals. Very disappointing penalty - I can't understand why Ollie didn't take it. We controlled the majority of the match, but need to find a spark to win games. Great game of football for the neutral fan.

Palace fans

Eren: Much better from Palace. Looks like it's all starting to gel. A few more of those performances and I'm sure we will move up the table.

Andy: A great display from the boys. Only positives to be taken from this performance. A point away at Villa and no injuries means that we can take confidence into our next game against Newcastle.

Sam: Palace played well to punch a bit above our weight and collect a point from Villa Park. Ismaila Sarr had an excellent game but Justin Devenny stole the show with a goal on only his second league start! Congrats to the teenager!

Banger: Looks like the boys put in a good shift with the likes of Eze and Wharton missing, but inconsistency with VAR could have cost Palace again. Comments from pundits and former referees on Sky say there are still issues with the people making VAR decisions. Should they be former players?

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner will be backed heavily in the January transfer market as the Austrian bids to bolster his relegation-threatened squad. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

• Manchester City 0-4 Tottenham

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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner after their draw at Villa Park: "I'm very proud of the team performance. We’re missing some key players in attack but we still scored two amazing goals.

"I’m very proud how they played together, worked together, fight together and believed in getting a point here.

"Overall it was a good performance for us and we go home very pleased with the point."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance, external

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Leicester v Chelsea - 12:30

• Bournemouth v Brighton

• Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

• Everton v Brentford

• Fulham v Wolves

• Man City v Tottenham - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 12 he takes on The Farm singer and Liverpool fan Peter Hooton.

The Farm's new single, Forever & Ever, is out now and their new album, Let The Music (Take Control), is released in May 2025.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Aston Villa have lost four in a row but Crystal Palace have even more cause for concern.

Logic tells me that Villa will come good, because Unai Emery is a superb organiser of teams and we have already seen long spells of them at their best.

Palace, however, need a drastic improvement on their performances this season because they have been pretty flat so far.

Villa need to click again, but they are at home which will help. Palace's form is getting pretty desperate under Oliver Glasner, and I don't see that changing this week.

Hooton’s prediction: 3-1

Villa will be too strong.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery expressed his deep respect for Crystal Palace and their manager Oliver Glasner in his news conference on Friday.

The Villans host the Eagles in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Asked about Palace's form, with Glasner's team 18th in the table after 11 games, Emery said: "Crystal Palace have all my respect.

"We can analyse them playing against us three weeks ago, when they beat us here, and last season they were fantastic in the last four months of the season.

"They are playing in the same idea and style, but they've had some injuries and [Michael] Olise is no longer in the squad. They are playing the same as last year when they were successful. They deserve more points than they have now."

Villa come into Saturday's match on the back of a run of three consecutive defeats - something Emery is keen rectify this weekend.

“They won against us three weeks ago and my respect for them is a lot," he added.

"I am positive because we are working to correct small details.

"Respect is analysing them and trying to tactically respond to everything they are going to demand from us."

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Aston Villa (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Glasner confirmed Eberechi Eze will not be involved, adding that they "can't take any risks" with the midfielder.

• He said Eze "feels he's ready and wants to play" but they want to protect him. "We need him for 15 games [in December and January], not just for one," he explained.

• Chris Richards, Jefferson Lerma and Cheick Doucoure are all back fit and available for selection, while Will Hughes returns to the squad after suspension. He added that Adam Wharton is "one or two weeks away" from a comeback.

• More on the return of Doucoure: "He's a fantastic football player, we could see from the first day. I think he [was] injured at the beginning of November last year and he trained for six to eight weeks in 12 months. Getting back into his best shape is what we will support him [with], but it's good to have him back."

• On what the the team did during the international break: "We decided, because of our schedule, that the whole first week was off. Also, for the staff, it's important. We decided several weeks ago to take one week off. I'm used to having it around Christmas, but here in England it's different, so I think it was important for everybody to recover."

• He said he believes his side have a good chance "to take at least a point" on Saturday but "the mindset is to get the win".

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.

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BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club but this week he's in the hotseat answering your questions.

Mark asked: Would you sack Oliver Glasner if Crystal Palace fail to get a point from either of their next two games?

Nedum replied: It depends on how those two games go. Results obviously matter but so do the manner of performances.

It could be that Palace pick up points from these next two games but the performances look fractured. That is then a different question to be asked.

At this point I don't think questioning the manager's position over these couple of games works because how long does that keep extending for? Does he have to then win the next one and next one?

There are no easy games in the Premier League because everyone is looking for something.

It is clear they trusted him last season when he arrived and did a good job, so I am sure there is a belief that he can still do that job this campaign.

I wouldn't say these next two games are defining as to whether he keeps his job, but the club know they have to start performing better and soon.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Former Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is keen to stay in the Premier League amid potential managerial opportunities at Crystal Palace, Wolves and Southampton. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column