Free extension for sports fans
Advertisement
Advertisement

What’s gone wrong so quickly at Crystal Palace?

As Pierre Sage waited to receive the Coupe de France trophy as the victorious manager of RC Lens last May, he turned to his staff and said: "Do you realise where we are?"

Published: Friday, 6 November 2026 at 8:00 AM
What’s gone wrong so quickly at Crystal Palace?
Key Things to Know
  • Ron Walker reports Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage faces mounting pressure with the club languishing in the relegation zone.
  • Crystal Palace have lost three straight Premier League matches without scoring while conceding nine goals.
  • Summer departures of Daniel Munoz and Maxence Lacroix, alongside an injury to Ismaila Sarr, have severely weakened Palace.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Ron Walker writes that Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is under severe pressure after enduring a difficult start to his tenure at Selhurst Park. Following his move from RC Lens in July, Sage has overseen three consecutive scoreless Premier League defeats, leaving Palace in the relegation zone with the worst defensive record in the division ahead of Sunday's match against Liverpool.

Walker argues that Sage's struggles stem from tactical mismatches and heavy squad turnover under director of football Matt Hobbs. Departures of key players Daniel Munoz and Maxence Lacroix, alongside an injury to Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta's three-match suspension, have hindered Sage's high-possession tactical vision.

Advertisement

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.