Oliver Glasner says Crystal Palace’s first half was ‘too cautious’ in Man United draw
Oliver Glasner believed his Crystal Palace side were too cautious in the first half against Manchester United.
The visitors had nine efforts in the first half and more than 65 per cent possession.
Glasner made two changes at half-time, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton both coming off.
Ismaila Sarr and Jefferson Lerma were introduced, and a change in formation saw Palace regain control.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Eberechi Eze and Sarr both had big chances in the second half to end Palace’s wait for a Premier League win this season.
Glasner said: “The first half is not how we want to play – in any part of the game. Out of possession, in possession or set plays.
“We had some clear words at half-time, and we switched the mindset to play with more courage to make more runs in behind and go more directly to their goal.
“This is what the players did really well in the second half. We were much more compact and played more directly forward when we had the ball.
“We had 10 free-kicks in our half and we always played back to our keeper. We looked like we were too cautious – too scared of whatever.
“It was positive that we could switch this mindset, and we showed that we could do it much better in the second half.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“That’s not how I want us to play – always thinking backwards instead of thinking forward.
“It gives me confidence that we can change it.
“They [the players] don’t want to play like this, but it just happened. I said to them: ‘We can always lose a game in sport – it’s football. But I don’t want us to lose our personality, because then we lose twice. It hurts much more than losing a game. Go out and show your character and personality.’
“This is what the players really did.
“In the end, with the two big chances in the second half, the draw was okay. We needed an unbelievable goalkeeper in Dean Henderson to keep us alive.
“Three points would have been too much today, but with the big chances in the second half, a draw was good.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD