Adam Sells’ Crystal Palace column: Oliver Glasner effect sees season end with bang – but Eagles at a crossroads again

Wow – what an end to the season. Those that have followed the fortunes of Crystal Palace for a lifetime are in unchartered territory.

Even the most optimistic fan would have struggled to comprehend the ending. After beating a meek 10-man Burnley at the end of February, in Oliver Glasner’s first game, the Eagles were stuttering.

A late collapse at Tottenham was followed by a draw at home to a resurgent Luton as Palace surrendered a 1-0 lead with six minutes of stoppage time played.

A feeling of discomfort was beginning to grow, as one of the fixtures earmarked to get Palace over the finish line, in a season decimated by injuries, went by without the three points being secured.

Newcastle’s involvement in the FA Cup, and an international break, meant the new boss was able to work with his group, though it would be fair to say that though latterly this proved a hugely important period in the season, the benefit was not immediately apparent.

The Austrian’s team dropped another two points from a winning position at Nottingham Forest and then came defeat on the south coast at Bournemouth four days later.
With the game seemingly heading for a goalless draw on a wet and windy night, Glasner opted to deploy David Ozoh in an unfamiliar central defensive role in the second half and it cost his side a point.

Though it was understandable, in the sense of a manager getting to know his squad, with upcoming fixtures with Manchester City and Liverpool up next, this felt distinctly like it was becoming what Sir Alex Ferguson used to call “squeaky bum time” towards the lower reaches of the Premier League table.

Palace’s run-in was the second hardest of any in the top-flight and though Glasner arrived with a very impressive CV, it seemed that it may take him some time to get his team to reflect his new approach. This was the risk when replacing his predecessor Roy Hodgson, who was always able to grind out points when it mattered.

Those concerns soon dissipated… and how.

The Manchester City home game saw Palace turn in a spirited performance which really gave the champions in waiting a scare. The Eagles took the game to their illustrious opponents and though it was difficult to remember such a front-footed approach, given the visitors’ quality, you could have viewed the approach slightly naive and to open.
Given a point was gleaned from the 2-2 draw in the corresponding fixture with a more pragmatic approach, confidence was clearly lifted by the way Palace were able to create chances against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Critically, Michael Olise came off the bench during the second half and although City ran out 4-2 winners, there was definitely a positive feeling after the final whistle.

The following weekend at Anfield is when the season turned. Palace caught Liverpool cold and played some superb football, creating numerous chances in the opening period.

Thereafter, some heroic defending and profligate finishing saw the visitors return to SE25 with an unlikely maximum points haul.

That was the catalyst. Relegation fears eased and belief was high. West Ham were demolished as Palace hit five. Newcastle were next to be put to the sword, in what was arguably  the best display during the run, before Jeffrey Schlupp rescued a point at Fulham, with an absolute thunderbolt.

Manchester United were lucky to escape Selhurst Park with only a four-goal thumping, Wolves were comfortably beaten 3-1 at Molineux and the coup de grace was another five-goal salvo against Aston Villa, who had just clinched Champions League football, on the last day of the season in a pulsating atmosphere at Selhurst.

This was not just a good run. Glasner’s team played with a swagger, beating teams in the upper echelons consistently in a fashion of a Champions League team in their pomp.

There have been some memorable displays towards the end of a Premier League campaign. The 5-0 drubbing of Leicester in April 2018 springs to mind, but never with such authority, so often.

So why did it end so well?

THE GLASNER EFFECT

The coach had a record of accomplishment in Germany and has been able to implement his style and ideas in time. It was not a fast start, but there is a real feeling of control about the performances of his team.

Whoever the opposition, Palace have seemed able to create chances at will and have been mean at the other end, with Dean Henderson registering clean sheets in four of the final seven games.

The fitness levels have improved, and this is particularly evident in midfield, where Will Hughes and Adam Wharton have excelled. It could have been fairly argued that
they both lacked the dynamic ability to get around the pitch of Jefferson Lerma and Cheick Doucoure, but the pair have risen to new levels.

Likewise, Nathaniel Clyne has extended his career at the top of the game after a series of exceptional displays in a back three. If one thing has encapsulated Palace’s unexpected and enthralling end to the season it is the re-emergence of a South London kid in an unfamiliar role, who is playing a like a prime Franz Beckenbauer (those under the age of 40, please ask your dad).

THE RIGHT FIXTURES AT THE RIGHT TIME

There is no doubt that although the fixture list at the end of the season looked exceptionally difficult on paper, Palace caught many of their opponents at the right time.

Liverpool were beaten heavily by Atalanta on a Thursday night prior to the Eagles’ trip to Merseyside, West Ham came to South London after being knocked out of Europe with one victory in seven.

Newcastle’s away form was patchy, conceding a lot of goals on the road. Both Fulham and Wolves were safe and sandwiched in between was a depleted Manchester United outfit with Casemiro and Jonny Evans in the central defensive berths.

Villa had secured their Champions League place in the midweek before the Premier League finale and half of the team that was selected from the 3-3 draw the previous Monday looked like they had been out celebrating since.

As the saying goes, you can only beat what is in front of you – and Palace ruthlessly disposed of these out-of-sorts opponents. But as a note of caution, it is fair to surmise that had this not been the end of the season, it would have posed a somewhat tougher task.

JANUARY SIGNINGS

The two signings in the winter transfer window proved to be pivotal in helping the team earn an unexpected 10th-placed finish.

Though both demonstrated their quality early on, it was in their end of season flourish that they truly excelled.

Daniel Munoz has provided a new dimension in the 3-4-3 shape being deployed.

His high energy and aggression in recovering possession has set the tone. An offensive threat with huge desire, the Colombian has proven to be yet another very astute piece of business from the club.

Likewise, Adam Wharton. Eyebrows were raised when Dougie Freedman took the plunge in January. Wharton had shown that he was a little bit of a throwback in his playing style.

Those that saw him at Blackburn Rovers would have seen a creative talent that could see a clever pass and had the ability to execute it. Others looked and thought that the pace and intensity of the

Premier League may be his undoing, but Wharton has continued to flourish on the big stage.

He has really adapted superbly and as his fitness levels have risen so has his star quality, resulting in a call from Gareth Southgate and England. At 19, Wharton is only going to get better.

IT’S ALL ABOUT MICHAEL OLISE AND EBERECHI EZE

For all the fantastic work that has been done, the return to fitness of these two special players is the biggest single factor in why Palace have been winning matches.

These two irrepressible talents, playing together, can tip the scales in top-level matches.

If in the past Palace had been over reliant on Wilfried Zaha to produce moments of magic – now there are two versions.Their ability to create and score goals against anybody is what has been the biggest stand-out feature of the unbeaten run.

It is truly a privilege to watch these two together. So much talent and they look like they are enjoying it too. They are the very epitome of the term ‘champagne football’, lighting up football stadiums wherever they go.

With Palace having achieved their best points total (49) since returning to the best league in the world, the harsh reality is that only five of those were achieved without one of the pair appearing on the field at some stage.

When neither player appeared on the field (six games) Palace averaged 0.83 points per game. Compare that to their nine matches started together, when 21 points were gained from a possible 27.

That equates to 2.33 points per game. In the past season this was close to title-winning form versus finishing one place above the relegation zone.

During that end of season flourish, the only game Palace did not take maximum points was the away fixture at Fulham – when they were without Eze. That is not a coincidence.

THE RISE OF JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA

The club’s ‘Player of The Season’ and deservedly so.

JP’s form from early December was another revelation in a season full of surprises.

Mateta had shown glimpses of talent in the past but in the main did not find any real consistency and came close to leaving the club on a few occasions. But as he began to really utilise his physical attributes, Mateta came into his own. His sizeable frame and strong running style combined with a real ability to improvise.

As the saying goes, he has ‘great feet for a big man.’

The former Mainz forward’s finishing was exemplary, with the best conversion rate in the division. Palace now have a goalscorer.

For the first time since returning to the Premier League the Eagles had three players that ended up with a goals tally that went into double figures.

The other two, Eze and Olise, were critical in providing the opportunities for Mateta, but the latter himself had 21 goal involvements with his minutes on the field amounting to just over 25 games. A magnificent return.

WHAT’S NEEDED TO PUSH ON

This is the key to progression and pushing for Europe.

The first part is hanging on to the talents that they have acquired in the past few seasons.

The real strengthening needs to be done in two key areas to make that European dream a reality.

Those aforementioned statistics – results with and without Eze and Olise – means that competition and cover need to be added if Palace are to compete at the top end.

In Matheus Franca and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, they have two emerging talents, but one more experienced ball carrier is necessary. Two, if the club opt to loan the latter.

This may need not be so expensive. Free agents such as Callum O’Hare would help strengthen this area. A free transfer is never that, given the sizeable signing on fees and wages, but Palace could do some smart business here.

If there is money available and given the record of success when shopping at Championship level, Hull Jaden Philogene may be another.

The other area of focus may well be the wing-back positions if Glasner continues with this shape.

There is nobody else in the style of Munoz on the right-hand side and should he miss out through injury, without a like-for-like option within the group, performances may be greatly affected.

Academy starlet Danny Imray looks the closest in style, but he will need playing time to develop and see whether he will be able to make the jump at some stage.

Tyrick Mitchell is the only real natural option on the left side.  Though Schlupp may be able a good fit it could be another area of consideration.

END-OF-SEASON CROSSROAD

We are here again…

It seems that at the end of every season there is a real sense of optimism. But it does feel that with some clever additions to such a well-drilled outfit, Palace could do something very special.

As is always the case when there is any modicum of success, the media is full of speculation about who will be departing and who is desired elsewhere.

Guehi, Eze, Olise, Wharton and Mateta are the names on everybody’s lips it seems right now.

If it is not them, it’s sporting director Dougie Freedman or manager Glasner being eyed. Even majority shareholder John Textor wants to sell his stake and has his eyes on Everton.

Though the flamboyant American will have his reasons, trading Palace for Everton right now would not seem too easy.

If as reported, Textor is valuing his stake at £325-500m – without full control of the club – it is unlikely that there is going to be a quick solution.

Steve Parish’s track record in retaining assets such as Wilfried Zaha for five seasons on his last contract – or selling high in the case of Aaron Wan-Bissaka-  speaks for itself.

You hope that Textor, Joshua Harris and David Blitzer can see the potential and take Palace places where they have never been before.

If Palace had strengthened attacking areas sufficiently 12 months ago, they may have already been playing European football next term.

Glasner led Eintracht Frankfurt to European glory and has demonstrated in his brief time that he can implement his methods and create a team with real identity.

Let us hope that he is given the requisite backing.

Europe is in touching distance this time around.