With nine games of Crystal Palace’s Premier League season left, you would assume that the Eagles are safe in the top flight.
They now have 39 points, which puts them 12 clear of the relegation zone. You’d be surprised to see Bournemouth, who occupy 18th place, winning four of their remaining matches given they have won seven all season, which means that they should live to fight another day in the top flight.
With Roy Hodgson having signed a new contract recently, they will have continuity next term, too.
Luka Milivojevic has been talking about his side’s recent form – they have won their last three matches – and he said: “[It is an] amazing achievement. Through the season, if you see in the most difficult period of the year in December and January and we played for a month and a half with only 11, 12 [senior] players. We had a lot of injuries, we survived during that period. Not winning many games but not losing a lot games. We drew a lot of games. After that, we had some players back. I think we are back, we are all happy and the atmosphere is great.”
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There have certainly been problems this season for the Eagles. A number of their players have sustained injuries – Milivojevic himself has been unavailable, whilst others such as Mamadou Sakho have missed much of the campaign. Such was the lack of depth, 18-year-old Brandon Pierrick was handed his debut on New Year’s Day.
From one point of view, Palace have done remarkably well to stay in the top tier so easily – other sides could have crumbled with the problems they have faced. However, it is also worth questioning why they were even so short in the first place?
Along with Southampton, Palace have the smallest squad in the Premier League – they have just 21 players. Despite often using a 4-3-3 formation, Hodgson does not actually have a recognised left-winger according to Transfermarkt, whilst Max Meyer is the only attacking midfielder available. Last summer, they spent just £7.11m on new recruits – their frugality has been exposed this term.
Yes, they have done well, but it should not be only celebrated. It may have worked out this time, but it is not a plan of action that will sustain them in years to come – they need to be better prepared in the future.
Meanwhile, Palace continue to track this man.