Pierre Sage's position at Crystal Palace could come under serious scrutiny during an important sequence of fixtures in October, according to Jack Pearce of the Five Year Plan Podcast.
Palace have collected four points from their opening five Premier League matches, leaving Sage's side with ground to make up as they prepare for a demanding period after the international break.
Their next five games include Europa League visits to Lyon and Besiktas, as well as a trip to Premier League rivals Brighton. The run begins on Sunday against Nottingham Forest, managed by former Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
Speaking to BBC Radio London, Pearce said the results could significantly shape how Sage is viewed by supporters and the club. He suggested that the manager could emerge from the month with his reputation strengthened, but also warned that a poor run could put his job at risk.
The upcoming fixtures therefore represent an important opportunity for Palace to improve their league form and make progress in Europe, while Sage seeks to establish greater confidence in his leadership of the team.
