Oliver Glasner: Crystal Palace boss highlights 'clear' need for transfer activity in January after Tottenham loss

Oliver Glasner says Crystal Palace’s need for reinforcements in the January transfer window is clear as former Eagles boss Alan Pardew urges the board to back the Austrian.

Palace fell to a third straight defeat in the Premier League when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Tottenham at Selhurst Park on Sunday. Archie Gray’s goal was the difference; However, Palace were once again let down by poor finishing.

It’s a familiar tale for the south London club, who have eased their way into the Premier League this season but have been unable to make their chances count.

Glasner’s side have the biggest xG difference in the top flight this season, scoring 8.4 goals less than their xG would suggest in the Premier League this season (21 goals from 29.4 xG).

Palace are also suffering from player absences with Ismaila Sarr, Daniel Munoz and Daichi Kamada among players unavailable due to international duty or injury.

Asked if he feels he has assurances that Palace will be active in the transfer window, Glasner put the ball firmly in the board’s court to help find a solution in January.

“To be honest, if you watch our game today, it’s pretty clear what we need,” Glasner told the press.

“So that’s Crystal Palace’s decision. If you’re constantly underperforming in terms of scoring goals, what we can do is encourage the players, support them and be positive.

“I can’t blame anyone for missing the chances, but we have to accept right now that we lack a bit of finishing quality in the team.

“It seems we cannot replace Ismaila Sarr, Daniel Munoz and Daichi Kamada, who are very often involved in our goals.

“But on the other hand, we will be back next week so it is now to support all the players.

“I see the way we play, the structure, the chances we create. The patterns work.

“It is now a real boost to the players to get that confidence back that they are able to score more goals.

“My sense is that the closer we get to the goal, the more nervous we become in decision-making.”

Pardew: Sign players to keep Glasner at club

Pardew is rallying for the support of the current Palace boss, suggesting that Glasner, whose contract at Selhurst Park expires in the summer, must be backed if the Eagles intend to keep him long-term.

“There is that situation with the manager,” Pardew continued Super Sunday. “He’s suggesting, ‘I want some more players’. His contract is up in the summer. He’s probably more important than anything to keep him at the club. He’s done a fantastic job.

“If I was the board, I would like to give him a player or two.

“And Marc Guehi is out of contract in the summer and can sign a pre-contract in January. I just think with the board they have there, American ownership, there’s funding available. Whether they can get the goals over the line is another matter – it’s always difficult in January.”

Hughes: It’s not energy that’s the problem, it’s getting done

Palace midfielder Will Hughes has rejected suggestions that Palace’s problem is down to fatigue. The FA Cup holders have had to deal with a hectic festive schedule, competing across the league, Conference League and Carabao Cup in the space of a few days this month.

Their fixture list will grow in the new year with the FA Cup and two extra play-offs in Europe to reach the last 16 of the Conference League. Palace also have six players, more than any other team, in the top 13 Premier League players who have played the most minutes in all competitions.

Asked if fatigue is to blame for their recent slump, Hughes said Sky Sports: “It’s nothing to do with energy or fatigue. We’re just going through one of those stages now, all teams go through it, where they create chances and don’t put the ball in the net.

“Unfortunately, we are doing that at the moment. We are creating chances, which is the most important thing. The next stage is to put the ball in the back of the net and the results will change.”