Crystal Palace boss Sage faces mounting pressure amid disappointing results and fan discontent

During his post-match press conference, Sage maintained a defiant stance, fielding questions about his future for roughly 20 minutes.

“I don’t have to convince the people around the club. I just have to convince the players to do their best to compete and to continue to improve,” he added, elaborating on his job security.

“After that, such a decision rests with the chairman and the owners,” he said.

“For me, the noise surrounding the team and the club is merely noise.”

Palace have amassed just seven points from their first eight league games since Glasner’s appointment.

Following defeats to Everton and Manchester City in their opening fixtures, Palace secured a win at Fulham before suffering a home loss to newly promoted Ipswich.

They maintained a rare clean sheet in a goalless draw at Leeds, then overcame Nottingham Forest after trailing, securing a victory at Selhurst Park on 11 October.

That win marked their final victory of the season.

Since that result, they have lost away to his former club Lyon in the Europa League, and to Brighton, before a 2‑2 draw against Besiktas in Istanbul on Thursday.

Nevertheless, patience is wearing thin as fans have reacted strongly to the latest defeat by Newcastle.

Moreover, Palace boast the league’s worst defensive record, having conceded 19 goals in eight matches.

Their upcoming Premier League fixtures include a visit to improving Tottenham next Saturday, followed by a home match against Liverpool on 8 November before the international break.

Crystal Palace’s first post‑break fixture is away to fellow strugglers Coventry City on 21 November.

Will Sage still be at the helm when the team returns?

French football analyst Julien Laurens said Sage needed to be more ruthless.

“He’s a lovely guy. He’s maybe a little bit too nice at times,” Laurens, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, added.

“Recalling Palace’s earlier victory over Fulham, Laurens noted, ‘That was Palace’s first win of the season and he felt sorry for Fulham.”

“You don’t feel sorry in this league. This Premier League is ruthless. It’s the top, top level. This is the best league in the world.”

“You can’t feel sorry for the opposition you have just beaten, especially when this is your first win and you needed it badly.”

But this is the kind of guy that he is.

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