During Crystal Palace’s recent 4-2 defeat to Manchester City, manager Oliver Glasner inadvertently echoed a mistake previously made by Roy Hodgson.
Despite the loss against Manchester City, Crystal Palace showed moments of promise, particularly in their high pressing game plan orchestrated by Glasner. Although the approach nearly paid off, it ultimately resulted in a 4-2 defeat, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard finding the net for Palace.
However, amidst the positives, Glasner took a risky gamble, reminiscent of Hodgson’s decision-making during his tenure. The pivotal moment occurred when, trailing 4-1 against Manchester City, Glasner opted to bring on Michael Olise, who had recently returned from injury.
This decision mirrored Hodgson’s error in his final matches as Palace manager, where he introduced an unfit Olise against Brighton, resulting in a reaggravated injury. Despite the different outcomes in these instances, Glasner’s choice posed a significant risk.
Fortunately for Palace, Olise’s cameo against Manchester City didn’t result in further injury. Despite his likely rustiness, Olise showcased glimpses of his talent during his 24-minute appearance, maintaining a flawless passing accuracy, creating two chances, and completing a successful dribble.
While Palace supporters await Olise’s full recovery and contributions in the coming weeks, Glasner’s decision serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of prudent player management to avoid repeating past mistakes.
