Oliver Glasner has repeatedly hit out at the unprecedented schedule Crystal Palace face in recent weeks, with Thursday night’s clash against KuPS followed by a trip to Leeds on Saturday – before a Carabao Cup tie at Arsenal on Tuesday.
And the Austrian is unlikely to row back on those criticisms after Palace were held to a 2-2 draw by the Finnish outfit having made 11 changes, although this was a spirited display from his side.
The draw meant the Eagles finished 10th in the Conference League table, and they will now be forced into two extra fixtures in a play-off round in February.
Palace will face either Sigma Olomouc of the Czech Republic or Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar.
Daily Mail Sport’s WILL PICKWORTH was at Selhurst Park and he has picked out some key talking points from the clash.
Crystal Palace’s young side were held to a 2-2 draw by Finnish outfit KuPS at Selhurst Park
Palace fought hard, but they have to play two extra fixtures in the play-off round in February
How did Palace’s youngsters fare?
Glasner is not a manager who tends to rotate, but with the chaotic schedule his side face he pledged to field separate XIs here and against Leeds in less than 48 hours time.
He gave debuts to Joel Drakes-Thomas, 16, Dean Benamar, 17 and George King, 18, while Kaden Rodney featured for the first team for just the second time.
All four academy stars looked at home in the first half, with Benamar standing out through his driving runs down the left. However, the game turned on its head in the second period, as KUPS scored twice in three minutes.
Palace’s young side were cut open and when Benamar limped off shortly after KUPS’ second goal, it proved to be a testing period for the quartet.
Nevertheless, Palace recovered well to get their equaliser, and this was a proud night for the South London club. The youngsters, who all showed positive signs, will only be better for the experience.
‘We played a great first half, especially the academy players,’ Glasner said post-match.
‘We could see they were not used to playing on this level though as all four were cramping after 60 minutes. But they showed a very good performance and demonstrated they are talents.’
George King (left) and Dean Benamar (right) were two youngsters given their debuts
Joel Drakes-Thomas, 16, impressed in the left No 10 position, and Glasner was left impressed
Was Glasner right to prioritise the Premier League?
It is a question that will divide Palace fans given their stretched squad will now face two extra games, but sitting fifth in the Premier League, Glasner believes his side are Champions League contenders.
He said last week that he was only focused on getting Palace through the League Phase, in whatever position that was – and the Eagles are still favourites for the Conference League.
With such a young team, this result should not be sniffed at too. It was the defeats by AEK Larnaca and Strasbourg that have ultimately cost them a place in the top eight.
In both games Palace were wasteful after having more than enough chances to win.
Glasner will also hope his squad are in a better shape come February, preferably with new signings in January.
Oliver Glasner chose to prioritise Saturday’s Premier League game at Leeds over Europe
Uche impresses again
It’s easy to forget Christantus Uche was a new signing in the summer given Glasner’s reluctance to use him over the first half of the season.
The Nigerian had played just 103 minutes in all competitions before his first start at Shelbourne last week, where he impressed with a goal and an assist.
Uche’s lack of gametime saw him miss out on Nigeria’s AFCON squad in a welcome boost for Palace.
Yet for the second successive week he took his opportunity. The forward scored a wonderful goal with the outside of his foot, and it was a finish that led to gasps from the crowd when it was shown on the big screen at Selhurst Park.
‘It was an amazing goal,’ Glasner said. ‘He could have scored two or three but it was a good performance. It’s important we have him as an alternative for the others.’
