Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner remains confident that the team is “completely on track” for what could be their most successful season ever, despite facing a grueling schedule.
This season has proven challenging for the Eagles as they juggle commitments in the Premier League, Conference League, and Carabao Cup, resulting in a series of quick turnarounds and weeks filled with two to three matches.
Currently sitting in eighth place in the Premier League, Palace has only managed to secure one win from their eight league games that followed midweek Conference League fixtures.
Following a 4-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, Glasner acknowledged that his team’s struggle to keep up with Leeds’ physicality contributed to their loss. However, he believes the players can look at the league standings to reassure themselves that fatigue isn’t affecting their performance.
“The best way to motivate the players is for them to look at the table and see, ‘Hey, we’ve never had 26 points after 17 matches before,’” he remarked.
“Last season we achieved a record 53 points. We’ve already accrued 50% of that total and we haven’t even reached the halfway mark of the season.”
“Our goal is to have the best season in Crystal Palace’s history, and we’re definitely on track to achieve that.”
Next up for the Eagles is a trip to North London to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, marking their third match in six days and the eighth in just 23 days.
“My only criticism is directed at the EFL,” Glasner added. “Scheduling a round while Conference League matches are being played shows a lack of respect for the Conference League; they would never do that for the Champions League or Europa League rounds.”
“This might explain the challenges we face as we prepare to play again in just three days.”
“Nonetheless, we’re competing in four tournaments and we embrace these challenges. We are not complaining about the busy schedule.”