Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed concerns over “a lack of finishing quality” from his squad, emphasizing the necessity for new signings in the upcoming January transfer window.
Glasner has previously lamented the limited depth of his squad, and reiterated this point following their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Once again, the Palace attack failed to find its rhythm, with Glasner noting the team’s underwhelming performance in terms of expected goals this season. The Eagles boast the largest xG deficit in the Premier League, having netted 8.4 goals fewer than anticipated.
“To be honest, if you watched our game today, it’s pretty clear what we need,” Glasner shared with the media post-match.
“Ultimately, it’s up to Crystal Palace to decide. If we persistently underperform in front of goal, we can only encourage the players, support them, and maintain a positive attitude.”
Palace struggled offensively once again, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Spurs (Getty Images)
“I can’t fault anyone for missing their chances, but we must acknowledge that there’s currently a deficiency in our finishing quality,” he continued.
“It seems we can’t replace Ismaila Sarr, Daniel Munoz, and Daichi Kamada, who have been crucial in our scoring. However, we expect to bounce back next week, and it’s important to support all players.”
“I see our play, the structure, and the opportunities we create. The patterns are working. It’s now about instilling confidence in the players so they can score more goals.”
“From my perspective, the closer we get to goal, the more anxious we become in our decision-making.”
On Sky Sports, former Palace manager Alan Pardew echoed Glasner’s sentiments, urging the club’s board to back the Austrian coach, emphasizing the tremendous job he has done in the role.
“He’s indicating that he needs more players. His contract expires in the summer, and retaining him should be a priority for the club. He has performed exceptionally well,” said Pardew.
“If I were on the board, I’d be inclined to provide him with one or two players. Given the American ownership, there is certainly financial capacity available.
“The challenge remains whether they can secure their desired targets, especially in January.”
Currently, Palace sits ninth in the Premier League standings after 18 matches, with their next fixture being a home game against Fulham on New Year’s Day.