Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has delivered a frank assessment of his team's physical state, declaring they are operating in 'survival mode' after a fatigued display saw them held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Selhurst Park.
A Fading Lead and Physical Toll
The Eagles looked set to end a two-month wait for a home victory when Jean-Philippe Mateta broke the deadlock with a headed goal. However, Fulham captain Tom Cairney levelled the scores with a superb 20-yard strike in the 80th minute. Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was then forced into a crucial injury-time save from Timothy Castagne to secure a point.
Glasner pointed directly to an exhausting schedule as the core issue. 'With all the circumstances, we played well when the mind and legs were fresh, but in the end, it was a question of time when we conceded,' he stated. The result extends Palace's winless run to six Premier League games.
The Gruelling Fixture Disparity
The Austrian boss highlighted a significant imbalance, noting his side had already contested eight more matches than Fulham this season. He detailed the specific strain, explaining, 'We played on Sunday, they played on Saturday. We play Newcastle next (on Sunday), and we have two days to rest and they have four. And we can see the physical difference.'
Glasner emphasised he was not making excuses but stating a reality. 'I am not complaining, just talking about the reality. Right now, it is not possible to perform at our top level,' he admitted, summarising the team's current status as one of sheer endurance.
Transfer Boost and Managerial Respect
Help is potentially on the way, with Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson close to a £35 million move to south London. The Wales international was omitted from Spurs' squad on New Year's Day, signalling the advanced stage of negotiations.
However, Glasner respectfully declined to comment on the potential arrival. 'Please respect this because for me it is a respect not to talk about players who are under contract at a different club,' he said, promising confirmation only once the deal is officially complete.
Meanwhile, Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed frustration with the officiating after Mateta's goal came while his side were temporarily down to 10 men. Defender Jorge Cuenca had been ordered off by referee Darren England following an apparent head injury. 'We should not have been playing with 10 men,' Silva argued. 'The referees, with the experience they have, should be able to manage the game in a different way.'
