The somewhat misplaced expectation of a top ten finish for this season could have heaped pressure on the Palace squad, but has the season of expectation been lightened by the turbulent nature of the campaign and could this prove to benefit the club?
Starting the season without the fluidity we ended the previous campaign, it became clear very quickly that the season would not yield the pre-season promise especially without club talisman Wilfried Zaha and his budding understudy Michael Olise.
Despite the lack of inspiration circulating around Selhurst Park, there remained an expectation that the team will produce – once Olise was fit we would be firing on all cylinders and the recognition being heaped on our young captain in waiting Marc Guehi and attacking prowess of Ebere Eze, alongside our steering rudder of Cheick Doucoure, the inevitable climb of Europe’s top league would soon find action. Unfortunately this did not happen, and hasn’t materialized, nor will it find fruition with the remaining weeks of the season even with the hope injected into the scene with the appointment of Oliver Glasner.
However, does all this negativity have a positive spin?
The expectations on the team are potentially at their lowest since promotion. Never have we entered a season with such infrastructure that can potentially secure progression as much as we entered this season. Yes, the squad was lacking depth but we were led to believe the foundations set could enable us to progress.
We are now firmly in the realistic measure of the limitations of our squad, without vast investment we cannot expect any greater return for our efforts next campaign.
The shop window was well and truly open in the autumn. Doucoure appeared high on the list of the league’s elite, since long term injury and subsequent signature on a long term contract secures his future at the club and the potential for greater financial return whilst the injury cools the interest (for the moment).
Moving on to our England elite – Geuhi, Sam Johnstone, and Eze have all shown great potential to impress on the international stage but do their injuries enable greater security of another season at SE25 as their opportunity to travel with the squad for a summer on duty looks unlikely?
This season has shown that Palace’s creative inspiration of Eze needs two things to succeed – a run of games and a sidekick. Unfortunately, his injury laden season and lack of Olise has meant Eze’s influence has been muted, but could his lack of international exposure result in a season where he operates under the radar?
Arguably, the real jewel in the crown is Guehi who will now be further down the line in the England squad and therefore another whose lack of exposure can potentially lead to another season in red and blue.
The backhanded positives can be accompanied by some real shining lights however.
Jean-Philleape Mateta has suddenly found the trust of a Palace boss and his consistent starting berth has seen a return of his best run of form. Granted, competition isn’t strong but his showings since the Glasner appointment has proved an asset to the Palace performances.
The transfer window yielded fewer additions than the Palace faithful will have wanted but the acquisition of Adam Wharton has truly shown an improved level of quality in the middle of the park whilst Daniel Munoz is a cult hero in the making as we change the identity of our backline.
Finally, we can only surmise the Palace board cannot rest with the current squad whilst entering the new season. Looking at a bench with youth and aging options, hanging onto the stars by a thread and hope Glasner will be provided with the support required to fulfil the objective of this season and take the club to the next level.
