Pierre Sage believes the pressure surrounding Crystal Palace’s difficult start to the Premier League season can ultimately help him become a better coach. Palace sit 17th with seven points and are looking to respond when they face Tottenham.
The Eagles have suffered consecutive league defeats without scoring, losing 5-0 to Brighton before a 2-0 reverse against Newcastle United. Their midweek 1-0 victory over Fulham in the EFL Cup, however, secured a place in the quarter-finals and offered a much-needed lift.
Sage has described the Tottenham fixture as carrying the importance of a final after the Fulham result. Speaking to Sky Sports, he acknowledged that results remain the priority but said the current situation was forcing him to reassess his ideas, adapt his approach and make the right decisions for his players.
Palace have conceded 19 league goals this season, the highest total in the division and their most at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1980-81, when they had allowed 22. Sage is now hoping the cup victory can provide a platform for a change in league fortunes.
There are positive recent signs in Palace’s record against Tottenham. The Eagles have won three of their last four Premier League meetings with Spurs, while Tottenham have lost their last two home league games against Palace after previously winning nine consecutive home fixtures in the matchup.
Jorgen Strand Larsen has also enjoyed success in this fixture, scoring three times in four Premier League appearances against Tottenham. Each of those goals was either an equaliser or a winner for his team, giving Palace another notable attacking statistic to draw on before the encounter.
