Crystal Palace Grapple with Severe Injury Setbacks Ahead of Critical Fixtures
Crystal Palace are confronting a significant injury crisis that threatens to derail their Premier League survival campaign as they prepare for pivotal matches against Wolves, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leeds United. Manager Oliver Glasner has openly addressed the mounting concerns, highlighting the team's defensive vulnerabilities and lack of consistency.
Injury Woes Compound Survival Struggles
The Eagles currently sit on 32 points, eight points clear of the relegation zone, but with only 12 games remaining, they likely require an additional 8-10 points to secure their top-flight status. While a strong start to the season provided a cushion, recent performances have been inconsistent, with victories proving elusive. The injury situation has exacerbated these challenges, particularly with defender Maxence Lacroix sustaining an adductor injury during a Conference League match, casting doubt on his availability.
Glasner remarked, "How it looked like yesterday, yes, but again, we will assess him further with training in the afternoon [on Friday], after the press conference and then, we will see. But yeah, he had to be subbed because he had problems with his adductor and he mentioned it at half-time already, so it doesn't look really good. All others look fine, but nobody will come back." This setback forces another reshuffle in the back three, a defensive unit that has been the foundation of Palace's strategy but has recently faltered.
Defensive Inconsistencies and Additional Setbacks
The manager emphasized the team's defensive struggles, stating, "We are struggling to get clean sheets because we are making too many mistakes. This is what we have to improve, definitely, and the next chance is on Sunday." Compounding the crisis, striker Eddie Nketiah has reportedly suffered a setback in his recovery, further depleting Glasner's options ahead of the demanding fixture list.
Upcoming Challenge Against Wolves
First up, Crystal Palace face Wolverhampton Wanderers, a team languishing at the bottom of the table but buoyed by a recent comeback draw against Arsenal. Glasner acknowledged their threat, noting, "I think when we played them away [a 2-0 win for Palace], I mentioned before that they are playing better than all their results, but they were in this negative run and it was so tough for them. I still think they have many good players." He highlighted Wolves' returning players from injury, such as Yerson Mosquera, and their pacey wingers and physical defense as key challenges.
With key players sidelined and defensive cohesion in question, Crystal Palace's ability to navigate this tough period will be crucial. The injury crisis not only tests the squad's depth but also places immense pressure on Glasner to devise effective strategies to secure the points needed for Premier League safety.
