Crystal Palace Manager Focuses on Performance Amid Transfer Speculation
Oliver Glasner, the Crystal Palace manager, deliberately avoided engaging with transfer rumours following his team's 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday. The match was overshadowed by intense speculation surrounding striker Jean-Philippe Mateta's potential deadline-day move to AC Milan, with Wolves' Jorgen Strand Larsen reportedly lined up as his replacement at Selhurst Park.
Mateta Absence and Squad Challenges
Mateta was conspicuously absent from the Palace squad for the Forest encounter, fuelling reports of his imminent departure to Italy. Glasner faced significant selection headaches, naming a thin matchday squad that included two goalkeepers on the bench alongside young prospects Kaden Rodney and Zach Marsh. This highlighted the pressing need for reinforcements as the transfer window approached its climax.
Dramatic Match Unfolds at City Ground
The game itself provided plenty of drama. Morgan Gibbs-White gave Nottingham Forest an early lead in the fifth minute, putting the hosts in a commanding position. The match took a decisive turn just before half-time when Forest defender Neco Williams deliberately used his hand to prevent Jefferson Lerma's shot from crossing the goal line.
Williams received an immediate red card for the offence, and Ismaila Sarr calmly converted the resulting penalty to bring Palace level. Despite playing against ten men for the entire second half, Crystal Palace failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage, with the score remaining 1-1 at full time.
Glasner's Firm Stance on Transfer Discussions
When pressed about the swirling transfer rumours in his post-match interview, Glasner remained resolute in his refusal to discuss potential player movements. "I don't want to talk about transfers today because I want to focus on the game and this group of players," the Austrian manager stated emphatically.
He did confirm that several key players including Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, and Evann Guessand would be returning to training, potentially making them available for Palace's upcoming match against Brighton. Regarding Mateta's situation, Glasner revealed: "We have a clear agreement and commitment - it will be JP Mateta or somebody else. If JP leaves, a striker, a number nine comes in."
The Palace boss expressed his preference for transfer business to be concluded well before deadline day, lamenting: "My wish would be everything is sorted two weeks ago so we can train, we can focus and develop." He admitted that recent preparations had suffered, forcing his coaching staff to take "a step backwards" in their planning.
Palace's Concerning Form and Psychological Factors
The draw extends Crystal Palace's winless run to nine matches across all competitions, though they remain nine points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. Glasner pointed to psychological factors as contributing to their recent struggles, stating: "I don't want to blame anybody but the reason for this is our psychological situation over weeks and months now."
Despite the poor run, the manager found positives in his team's first-half performance against Forest, saying it gave him "a lot of confidence for the rest of the season." He highlighted the absence of several key players including Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, Daichi Kamada, Mateta, and Wharton as significantly impacting their performance levels.
Forest Perspective and Williams' Apology
For Nottingham Forest, the result extends their unbeaten run to four matches, moving them six points clear of the relegation places. Manager Sean Dyche viewed the point as hard-earned, particularly given the circumstances of playing most of the match with ten men.
"It has to be a point earned," Dyche commented. "It's not easy playing 10 v 11 particularly in the Premier League, and well earned." He expressed disappointment that Williams' instinctive handball had changed the game's complexion, believing Forest would have likely won with eleven players on the pitch.
Williams took to social media after the match to issue a public apology, posting: "I take full responsibility for my sending off today and want to apologise to my teammates and you fans. The lads showed determination and fight out there to get the point but we wanted more."
Transfer Window Uncertainty Continues
With the transfer deadline looming, both managers acknowledged ongoing recruitment activities without revealing specific targets. Dyche admitted Forest were "linked with loads of players" and confirmed awareness of "two or three" potential signings, though cautioned this didn't guarantee their arrival at the City Ground.
The draw leaves both clubs in mid-table security but with clear areas for improvement as the Premier League season enters its crucial final months, with Crystal Palace particularly needing to address their worrying form and potential striker shortage should Mateta complete his move to Milan.
