Crystal Palace

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg at Zrinjski Mostar (kick-off 17:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Glasner said no players have returned from injury. Jefferson Lerma, who went off injured against Burnley, is expected to miss "about three weeks" and they hope to have Jean-Philippe Mateta back in the next "two or three weeks".

• The Palace boss also said Eddie Nketiah has "had a setback" and they "will miss him for a few more weeks".

• Glasner said "playing two legs is always about going to win the game", adding: "You see how the game is going. I don't like to enter the pitch and say a draw is fine. We want to play football, we want to score goals and we want to attack, but of course it's always important to have a good balance and to go to win the game."

• On their opponents: "We are here to win the game and show a good performance but Mostar are doing well. Normally they don't concede a lot of goals, or score a lot of goals - always tight results, especially in the Conference League."

• Glasner said he doesn't think Zrinjski will play very defensively and that they have respect for the Bosnian side: "They're always pressing high and creating a lot of chances when they press high, but if you break their press they're always defending with nine or 10 players around the box. Therefore we have respect for them."

Got a question about Crystal Palace? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Tottenham, Crystal Palace and West Ham are among the clubs keen on signing Real Madrid's 32-year-old Germany defender Antonio Rudiger this summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

If Crystal Palace's victory at the Amex appeared to be the team getting back on track after a long winless run, then Wednesday's collapse against Burnley amounted to being signal failure at the very least.

You would expect any team to take three points from the position of being 2-0 up so early in the game, especially against a relegation candidate, and a win would have nestled the team happily in mid-table.

The reaction to the result was visceral. That was partly down to the scars of such a poor run of late and also the fact that Oliver Glasner's lame-duck status - regardless of people's individual view of the manager - does bleed into the thinking of plenty of fans.

Perhaps in this situation, ignorance would be bliss. Not knowing for sure that he is leaving at the end of the season would keep the focus on the present, whereas now any defeat or substandard performance is more likely to raise questions of his own motivation or his influence over the changing room.

Suddenly, that disastrous 10-minute spell against Burnley has cost the team more than just points.

Even if those opinions don't carry much water, you can see a situation where the pressure continues to mount until it isn't viable any more for the club. Which brings us on to Zrinjski Mostar, Thursday's European opponents.

Away from the Premier League and an almost must-win fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, the allure of winning the Conference League is probably underpinning the remainder of Glasner's time at Palace.

Only a few hundred fans will be travelling to Bosnia-Herzegovina this week, but it will be a critical moment for the season.

For as long as the team can stay in the competition, there are always greener pastures just over the horizon, with a vision of ending the season with yet another trophy.

Without that, it will be hard to keep making the case for the Austrian manager, even though we may want to.

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Whether Crystal Palace have drifted away from their strategy of buying young talent from lower leagues and offering them a pathway has been the subject of several questions sent in via our ''Ask about Crystal Palace' form.

Now the dust has settled on the transfer window, I think the strategy change in terms of players like Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen was down to two things.

First, poor form had them looking over their shoulders at the relegation places - and no matter how much those signings may look like Palace overpaid, the price of dropping to the Championship is bigger than that.

And two, Palace are into the play-off stage in the Conference League and are trying to win it. To get over the line in those competitions you need senior pros.

Johnson won the Europa League with Spurs last season, scoring the winner in the final, so having him and Strand Larsen - experienced but at a good age - makes sense at this point in the season and was what Palace needed in their squad.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Image source, Getty Images

Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Burnley's Premier League win over Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Crystal Palace fans

Iain: Quite possibly the most depressing result of a miserable season. You can't be 2-0 at home to the team second from bottom and lose 3-2. Woeful performance in the second half. We looked clueless on the field and the manager seemed equally clueless with his substitutions.

Lee: Glasner's exit confirmation has rotted the squad. Players have downed tools. He's done nothing but moan about ambition and transfers. We won't go down. Sack him now; get Thomas Frank in for a bounce. Nothing to lose.

Leigh: An embarrassing seven minutes from a Palace perspective. Good performance overall, lots of chances created. Never should have lost. We created our own downfall.

Brian: I've been supporting Palace since third division South and it looks like they're going back.

Gary: Disgraceful. Pathetic. Nowhere near good enough. Feel sorry for Strand Larson, no service in second half. Why take Munoz off and put Sarr on the right? He's wasted out there. We miss Guehi's calmness in defence. I'm afraid we'll be out of Europe soon and finish in our usual place in the table 12-15th. The fun and happy days are over.

Burnley fans

Martin: We're going down - that has been evident for weeks, and this result changes nothing. As fans, we just want to see fight and determination every game until the end of the season. We haven't even managed that recently. Let's hope this game is a sign of things changing.

Andrew: Hannibal was magnificent. Everywhere. Inspiring all around him. Kyle Walker is a totally class act.

Bob: Much better but I fear too little too late! However let's keep it up and maybe… At least let's go down fighting. Whatever happens big changes need to happen.

John: The most incredible comeback by Burnley that I can remember in the many decades that my family have supported them.

Image source, Getty Images

The 40-point mark - or thereabouts - could be needed once again to guarantee Premier League survival this term, with an in-form West Ham United attempting to chase down the sides above them.

That mythical number has often been cited as the threshold at which managers, players and fans can relax - but the total has not actually been needed to stay up since 2010-11.

Prior to that the only other occasions clubs were demoted with 40 points or more were 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2002-03.

But could that be about to change?

West Ham, who are 18th in the top flight, are only three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who sacked manager Sean Dyche after Wednesday's goalless draw with Wolves.

While Tottenham - who sacked boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday - are 16th, another two points ahead of Forest.

• Read a full breakdown on the 40-point target

West Ham's current points tally (24) is the most by any side in 18th at this stage of a campaign since 2019-20, when the Hammers recovered to stay up with 39 points.

Leeds also look to have found some momentum with recent wins over Fulham and Forest as well as draws at Everton and Chelsea.

In contrast, Spurs have managed a meagre four points from the previous 27 available to them.

Meanwhile, now managerless Forest have won just two of their past 10 games and fans of Brighton and Crystal Palace may also be looking over their shoulders.

The 14th-placed Seagulls (31 points) are on a dismal run having won just one top-flight game since 30 November.

Palace - who are a place and a point above Brighton - have only tasted victory once since 7 December and most recently let a two-goal lead slip as they lost to struggling Burnley.

That magic 40-point mark could well be needed once more to avoid dropping into the Championship.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday's and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sunday's victory at rivals Brighton had provided a much-needed lift for Oliver Glasner and his Crystal Palace players.

But, on his 100th game in charge of the club, the Austrian - who is leaving the club at the end of the season - was brought back down to earth with the heaviest of bumps after Burnley's extraordinary first-half fightback at Selhurst Park.

It was all going so well for the Eagles, who appeared to be heading for back-to-back victories after Jorgen Strand Larsen's first-half double.

Had Palace held on, they would actually have been two points better off than they were at the same stage last season.

As it happens, they are now just eight points clear of the bottom three – still a comfortable cushion, but not comfortable enough for a side with only one win in all competitions since 11 December.

If Wolves manage to pull a leaf out of Burnley's book in Palace's next league game on 22 February, alarm bells really will start ringing.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, speaking to TNT Sports: "I can't explain it. We gave the game away too easy. Maybe it was too easy. There was a lack of intensity and we didn't defend well. We can't show a consistent performance over 95 minutes very often. Once it's this, once it's that – and you get punished.

"The start was good, scoring very nice goals. We controlled everything. I've watched all the goals back and it's just not acceptable how we defended as a team – just jogging around, not in the duels, not in the second balls.

"In the second half we tried everything, but we don't deserve to win.

"I praise the boys very often for their effort. We had a great effort three days ago at Brighton, so it's not about the character. I don't know the reason [for tonight], the players usually work hard.

"When you throw the game away like we did, you don't deserve to win.

"I don't know what to do with this ball. It's not serious play. We just can't clear it. We start with a kick-off after the 2-2, we play the ball long, then they have a big chance – it's not acceptable.

"Right now, we don't have someone on the pitch who leads the team in these moments, who makes the players calm and decides about the meaning of the game – that's why we lost."

Did you know?

• Crystal Palace are now without a win in their last eight home Premier League matches (D3 L5), last enduring a longer run at Selhurst Park in the top-flight between August 1997 and April 1998 (15 games).

• Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is the first player to score against Burnley with two different teams in a single Premier League season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Oliver Glasner makes two changes to the Crystal Palace team that started Sunday's win at rivals Brighton.

Daichi Kamada comes in, while Aston Villa loanee Evann Guessand is handed his full debut.

Will Hughes and Yeremy Pino drop to the bench.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Richards, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Guessand, Strand Larsen

Subs: Benitez, Pino, Johnson, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Sosa, Riad, Devenny

Image source, Premier League

Scott Parker also makes two alterations to the Burnley side that started the 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham on Saturday.

Joe Worrall and Josh Laurent return, with Florentino and Lucas Pires named among the substitutes.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Humphreys, Esteve, Worrall, Edwards, Mejbri, Laurent, Ugochukwu, Anthony, Flemming

Subs: Weiss, Bruun Larsen, Foster, Florentino, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Ward-Prowse, Pires, Barnes

There are five games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Burnley

• Man City v Fulham

• Nottingham Forest v Wolves

• Sunderland v Liverpool (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And listen to Around The Grounds on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 19:00

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace welcome Burnley to Selhurst Park on Wednesday having ended a miserable nine-game streak without a Premier League win during what has been a tumultuous winter for Oliver Glasner's side.

A second goal in as many games for Ismaila Sarr saw off fierce rivals Brighton on Sunday, lifting Palace to 13th in the table.

Palace hoping to buck home trend

The Eagles are winless in their past seven home league matches (drawn three, lost four), their worst run at Selhurst Park in the top flight since a 15-game stint between August 1997 and April 1998 that ended in relegation.

Two wins from 12 in front of their own fans this season, the last of which came against Brentford on 1 November, means Palace have earned just 37.5% of their total points at home this season - only Tottenham have fared worse.

On a more optimistic note for Palace fans, their team haven't lost a home league game against a side starting the day in the relegation zone since a 4-0 reverse to Sunderland in February 2017 – they are unbeaten in 19 since.

With Burnley's visit to south London followed by that of rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers, February presents the perfect opportunity for Glasner's charges to put distance between themselves and the relegation dogfight.

Clarets in freefall

For all Crystal Palace's struggles at home, it would be wrong to suggest Wednesday's visitors Burnley are well-placed to take advantage.

Encouraging draws against Manchester United and Spurs bookended a run of four games unbeaten in January, but any optimism arising from that spell has been snuffed out after back-to-back defeats.

The Clarets, who have been stuck in 19th place since late November, are losing ground on West Ham thanks to the latter's improved form, with relegation looking more likely by the day.

Burnley are currently 16 league games without a win, the worst run of any club in Europe's top five leagues. It also means they're one of just two teams in the entire Football League without a league win since the start of November, along with the Championship's bottom side Sheffield Wednesday.

The trip from London back to east Lancashire is often a sorry one for Burnley fans; their team have won just one of their past 16 top-flight visits to the city (drawn six, lost nine), losing each of their past four.

Head coach Scott Parker doesn't fare much better. After eight attempts, he is yet to win a top-flight away game in London. Only Neil Warnock (16), Colin Todd (10), Steve Kean (nine) and Nigel Pearson (nine) have managed more away games in the capital without tasting success.

Crystal Palace's win over Brighton was a huge result for them and the Eagles are definitely not short of firepower - if anything they have got too many centre-forwards now, but that's a good problem to have.

Burnley have had it though - I thought that before they lost at home to West Ham on Saturday, but there can't be any doubt they are going down now.

I don't think the Clarets will get anything here, either, but their fans seem to have turned on manager Scott Parker which I really don't like.

This is the guy who got them up but because the other promoted sides, Sunderland and Leeds, are having better seasons, that has gone against him.

Just on the eyes, whenever I've watched them, Burnley have been competitive and have been in games.

I just think there needs to be a bit of patience from their supporters, but of course they are entitled to their opinion.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Crystal Palace may lower their £30m valuation of Jean-Philippe Mateta in the summer, with Manchester United showing interest in the striker. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Burnley at Selhurst Park (19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Glasner said he has no new injury concerns after Sunday's win over rivals Brighton and that "Justin Devenny is returning to the squad so it's all good".

• Providing an update on Jean-Phillipe Mateta, he said: "Fortunately he doesn't need surgery [on his knee problem]. The injury is not as bad as feared, and so we think – and the opinion from several specialists and doctors – is that we can deal with the knee in a better way than with surgery."

• More on the striker, whose deadline day move to AC Milan fell through: "He will miss a certain time - I can't say two weeks, three weeks or four weeks. Of course it's a disappointment, but now he's looking forward to the next months and it's good for him that a final decision has been taken. In the end, he took the final decision, with the recommendation of all the specialists and our medical department."

• Glasner said Mateta is determined to return and contribute for the Eagles this season: "He will have the next [stage of] rehab here at the training ground, and he wants to be back as soon as possible and contribute to achieve our goals. He will be a Palace player until at least the summer and we have that clarity. I'm 100% convinced JP will give his all when he wears the Eagles shirt again."

• Asked if he could rethink his decision to leave the club at the end of the season, Glasner said: "My decision to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season is final. Nothing will change."

• On Maxence Lacroix stepping up after Marc Guehi's departure: "He plays incredibly - so consistent. The level he is showing is really high and we can rely on him."

• On the mood in the camp after ending a 12-match winless run with victory at Brighton: "For everyone who likes Crystal Palace then it is a tough period, but that is sport and life. We had many, many months of enjoying and now it is more about finding solutions, so it was nice to get the win at Brighton. A special win, of course, in the derby. We have spoken about it often - we have more options now, more players are back."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Get a question about Palace? Get in touch and we'll put it to our experts

Daichi Kamada is set to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season. The Japan midfielder's contract expires in the summer and there are no extension talks. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport