Crystal Palace have a new manager at the helm ahead of their clash with West Ham United at Selhurst Park, and he’s already making waves. Let’s delve into what David Moyes and his team can expect from this Sunday’s Premier League matchup.
In his first two months as manager, Oliver Glasner has demonstrated that while patience is essential, his tactics are steering the team in the right direction, as evidenced by an impressive and deserved win against Liverpool.
Glasner’s approach in that game involved using just one recognised centre-back, Joachim Andersen, alongside midfielder Jefferson Lerma. This adjustment was crucial, signalling a shift towards a more proactive style of play, away from the reactive tactics previously employed.
Familiar foes: Oliver Glasner & David Moyes
Known for his dedication, Glasner is reportedly the first to arrive and the last to leave at the club’s Copers Cope training ground in Beckenham. His commitment has convinced many at the club that he’s the right person to elevate the team to new heights.
Small steps to improvement
Although immediate results have varied, performance metrics show an improvement in possession, chance creation, and physical output under Glasner’s guidance.
He has also introduced three minor but significant changes to the team’s routine. Unlike his predecessors Patrick Vieira and Roy Hodgson, who gave players a day off after matches, Glasner insists on next-day recovery sessions to optimize physical recuperation and tactical debriefing. This change aims to prevent injuries and setbacks, particularly after away matches.
Additionally, while Vieira required players to arrive three hours before kickoff—a practice changed to two hours under Hodgson—Glasner has reinstated the three-hour arrival rule for the last two games. Players now share a pre-game meal and receive the starting lineup during a brief meeting before heading to the stadium, a ritual Glasner brought from his tenure at Eintracht Frankfurt.
These changes have reportedly been well-received by the team, who have embraced new methods and styles of play. The victory against Liverpool has injected belief into the squad, and they look to build on this momentum in their upcoming game against West Ham.