Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage has insisted he will 'never give up' as pressure mounts following a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham. The loss leaves the club 18th in the Premier League with just seven points from nine games ahead of Thursday's Europa League fixture against Hoffenheim at Selhurst Park. Their record of two wins and a draw from those nine games has them deep in relegation trouble, with a goal difference of minus twelve after scoring just nine times while conceding twenty-one.
Sage's position is under intense scrutiny after a run of one win in six matches across all competitions. The 2-0 reverse at Tottenham on Saturday saw Jean-Philippe Mateta sent off and defender Oscar Mingueza substituted after an hour following a difficult performance. "I am really aware of the situation," Sage told reporters. "I don’t like this situation.
Defensive struggles
Mingueza's early withdrawal came after he won only a third of his ground duels and committed four fouls. Further up the pitch, winger Dwight McNeil managed just 24 touches in 77 minutes, while Yeremi Pino failed to create a chance and was dispossessed four times. The team's overall form is a major concern, with recent results including a 5-0 thrashing by Brighton and a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle. Other recent setbacks include a 3-2 defeat to Lyon and a 2-2 draw with Beşiktaş in Europe.
Crystal Palace have conceded 21 league goals this season, the second-worst defensive record in the division. Their next Premier League assignment is a daunting home game against fifth-placed Liverpool on Sunday, 8 November. The club's standings position is perilous, sitting in the relegation zone and 17 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Looking ahead
The manager is expected to make changes for the visit of Hoffenheim, with striker Jorgen Strand-Larsen likely to return after being rested at the weekend. Palace's only recent victory was a 1-0 win at Fulham, where Eddie Nketiah scored the winner from a Mingueza assist. That solitary win in their last five matches offers a glimmer of hope, but the team must now regroup quickly for a critical European night in south London before facing the challenge of Liverpool.
The report in full is at uk.sports.yahoo.com
