Pierre Sage insists Crystal Palace players and hierarchy still support him despite limp Newcastle defeat
Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage has insisted he retains the belief of his players and the club hierarchy despite a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United extending their winless run to four games. The Eagles were soundly beaten at Selhurst Park on Sunday, with an 11-minute double from the Magpies shortly after half-time sealing their fate.
- Match: Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle United
- Venue: Selhurst Park
- Competition: Premier League
- Key moment: Newcastle scored twice in 11 minutes shortly after half-time
- League position: Palace two points above bottom side Sunderland after eight games
- Goals conceded: 19 – the most in the Premier League
What was said
"Yes. I think they do [believe in me]."
"It's normal [to be under pressure] because we don't have the results. The noise is a consequence of the team and we don't have [the points] we expect."
"Inside, we just are really focused on the solutions, how to be better and how to create the conditions to compete. I don't have to convince people around the club, I just have to convince the players to do their best and continue their improvement."
"After that, this kind of decision of what we are speaking about is to the chairman and owners. For me, the noise around the team and club is only noise."
"I spoke with the chairman this week, but I didn't speak about this subject. We spoke about the game, the condition of the team and how we build our game plan to compete today. We didn't speak about this subject. I share my strategy with him and the technical staff. It's normal."
"I always expected to do better. Football is an imperfect game, there's a lot of mistakes - players and coaches. It's always a frustration if you don't achieve the perfect thing."
"In my position, I just have to create the conditions to be close to perfection with the team in concentration, defending well, attacking well. But for the moment, we missed our game in Brighton. But today we missed only 15 minutes, but that's enough for the opponent to win."
"My way, my idea is that the best way to defend is about having the ball, because if you have it you can't concede. But there are other ways to concede fewer goals. I just have to find the solution and I think today, it was not a tactical problem, it was a mental problem because when we came back from the dressing room we let our opponent do too many things."
"When you don't master the ball, when you don't control the play, you give the initiative to the opponent. When you have it and concede in transition, the problem is different. Today, and from the beginning [of the season], we have a lack of mastering the ball as a team and during the first half we created our chances in the transition, but didn't have possession. In the second half it was different, when they scored the second they played lower and in this situation we didn't have too many situations where we could concede. That's why I think it's the best way."
Sage's defiance in the face of mounting pressure is understandable, but the statistics paint a grim picture. Palace have now conceded 19 goals in the Premier League this season – the most in the division – and have the third-lowest average possession percentage. The Frenchman, who led Lens to their first ever French Cup last season in his one and only season in charge, as well as a runners-up spot in Ligue 1, has struggled to adapt quickly to life in the Premier League.
The timing of Newcastle's goals – the first coming barely a minute after the restart following Sage's half-time team talk – was particularly concerning, with Palace again starting a half slowly. A fifth of Palace's goals conceded have come in the first 10 minutes of games this season, including three in the heavy defeat at the Amex Stadium last weekend.
The numbers
- Goals conceded: 19 in the Premier League – the most in the league
- Possession: Third-lowest average possession percentage in the division
- Early concessions: A fifth of goals conceded have come in the first 10 minutes of games this season
- League position: Two points ahead of bottom side Sunderland after eight games
- Winless run: Four games
Why Sage believes possession is the answer to Palace's defensive woes
Sage was clear in his post-match assessment: the best defence is a good offence – or rather, keeping the ball. "My way, my idea is that the best way to defend is about having the ball, because if you have it you can't concede," he said. It is a philosophy that has not yet translated into results, with Palace guilty of ceding possession too easily and conceding in transition. The manager admitted his side "lack mastering the ball as a team" and that they gave Newcastle the initiative, particularly at the start of the second half.
The challenge for Sage is to instil that possession-based approach quickly, with his side sitting just two points above the relegation zone. The Frenchman's track record at Lens suggests he can organise a team, but the Premier League is unforgiving. Palace's next fixture is a crucial opportunity to arrest the slide.
Talking points
- Is Sage's possession-first philosophy the right fit for a squad that has the third-lowest average possession in the league? The players may not be capable of executing his preferred style.
- The timing of Newcastle's goals – just after half-time – raises questions about Sage's half-time team talks and Palace's concentration levels. Is it a mental issue or a tactical one?
- With 19 goals conceded already, Palace's defence is the worst in the Premier League. Sage insists it's not a tactical problem, but the numbers suggest otherwise.
- Sage says he has the backing of the chairman, but results must improve quickly. Palace are only two points above bottom side Sunderland – how long will the hierarchy's patience last?
What happens next
Crystal Palace return to Premier League action next weekend, with the exact fixture to be confirmed. The match represents a vital chance for Sage to ease the pressure and claim a first win in five games. With the club two points above the relegation zone, another defeat could see the noise around his position grow louder.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pierre Sage still have the backing of the Crystal Palace players?
Yes, Sage said he believes the players still support him when asked directly after the Newcastle defeat.
What did Pierre Sage say about his conversation with the chairman?
Sage said he spoke with the chairman this week about the game, the condition of the team and the game plan, but not about his future.
How many goals have Crystal Palace conceded in the Premier League this season?
Palace have conceded 19 goals, the most in the league, with a fifth of those coming in the first 10 minutes of games.
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