Adam Wharton believes Crystal Palace’s 4-0 win over Lech Poznan represented a significant move in the right direction, although the Palace captain stressed that the team still has plenty to improve as new players continue to settle.
Wharton said the squad is working to develop the manager’s attacking approach, with training focused on creating the combinations needed to play higher up the pitch. He felt the team produced several encouraging passages of quick, one-touch football and added that the Selhurst Park crowd helped Palace maintain their momentum.
The midfielder also pointed to the experience gained during last season’s European campaign. He said the tactical demands differ from Premier League football, but believes that exposure will benefit Palace as they continue this season. On the possibility of an England call-up, Wharton said it would be welcome but insisted that his current focus is on Palace’s schedule, with matches arriving every three days.
Jorgen Strand Larsen also had reason to be pleased after converting a penalty. The striker explained that, having missed his previous two spot-kicks, he felt he needed to take responsibility and score. He acknowledged that Yeremy may have been the preferred taker but said the players are all eager to make an impression in front of the Palace supporters.
Larsen added that Palace could have won by an even wider margin, while admitting that Sunday’s match had been in the players’ thoughts. The result extended Palace’s unbeaten run in European matches at Selhurst Park to seven games, while they have now kept clean sheets in four of their last five home fixtures in major European competition.
Palace were three goals ahead at half-time for only the third time in the past decade, following previous occasions against Norwich City in December 2021 and West Ham United in April 2024. Larsen’s successful penalty also continued Palace’s run of eight consecutive converted penalties in all competitions, excluding shoot-outs, since Jean-Philippe Mateta missed from the spot against AZ in the UEFA Conference League in November 2025.
