According to The Guardian, Crystal Palace’s 2-0 defeat by Newcastle United followed a 5-0 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, leaving the club’s hierarchy concerned about the team’s direction. Sage had already been warned that results needed to improve quickly.
The timing of the next fixtures has bought him some breathing space. Palace visit Fulham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before travelling to Tottenham, and Parish has opted against making a change during that compressed schedule. However, the report says Sage has been left in no doubt about the importance of the league match at Spurs.
Palace are 17th in the table and have conceded 19 goals in eight Premier League games, the highest total in the division. Despite the poor run, Sage is understood to retain the backing of his players, with two senior members of the squad reportedly contacting him to express their continued faith.
The board is not united on whether to dismiss the Frenchman after only 12 matches in charge. Thomas Frank and Sean Dyche have been mentioned as possible replacements, while former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Rob Edwards is also reported to be under consideration.
There is said to be some sympathy for Sage because of circumstances affecting his squad. Axel Disasi, brought in on loan from Chelsea to replace Maxence Lacroix, has only recently returned from a three-match suspension.
Palace also showed signs of improvement in their 2-2 Europa League draw away to Beşiktaş. Sage is believed to have been encouraged by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s response since returning from injury, although the striker’s contract situation remains unresolved. Mateta is in the final year of his deal and previously failed in an attempt to have it ruled invalid by an independent Premier League tribunal and FIFA.
The immediate challenge is to translate those more encouraging signs into results. Parish has chosen to wait for now, but another defeat at Tottenham could leave Palace’s leadership facing a decision they have so far postponed.