Crystal Palace secured a much-needed three points against Burnley on Saturday, in what was Oliver Glasner’s first Premier League match in charge of the Eagles.
Oliver Glasner started his career at Crystal Palace with a win as the Eagles beat Burnley 3-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
It was a must-win for the hosts, who were in a position to have become relegation candidates if three points weren’t secured, making the new manager’s first victory even more of a celebration.
The win over Burnley commenced a long journey ahead for Glasner, who has already earned a host of praise after the weekend’s result.
What Robbie Earle likes about Oliver Glasner
Speaking on The 2 Robbies podcast after match week 26, pundit Robbie Earle spoke highly of the Austrian manager, who he pinpointed had impressed him in two key ways.
“Two things I liked about Glasner is, he’s changed the system a little bit, likes 3-4-2 underneath one, the two underneath could be Olise and Eze and the one whether it’s Mateta or Edouard or if he brings someone in, could be a new signing.”
“He likes to press, he wants a bit more possession but I tell you the thing that stood out for me that I’ve liked about him is I’ve seen three interviews and the first thing he said in all the three interviews was ‘my thoughts go to Roy Hodgson’ proper guy, not about the club, not about him, he mentioned Roy Hodgson on three occasions.”
Glasner took charge not only at a difficult time regarding the squad’s placement in the league but with reference to the status of the man he was to succeed in the role.
Roy Hodgson was taken ill just days before the switch in managers which shattered the opportunity for a smooth changeover, with the 49-year-old showing great respect to the 76-year-old who is a well-loved figure at Palace.
The early signs of the changes that Oliver Glasner wants to make are positive
While the fixture against Burnley wasn’t the greatest test that the Austrian could have experienced, particularly with 10 men, the positive changes in Palace’s squad were noticeable from the off.
As Earle touched upon, the squad were pressing relentlessly and looked threatening in their build-up to play in the final third, plus the manager’s substitutions made an impact on the result.
The boss had a lot to say about the atmosphere at Selhurst Park and with the respect he has shown to Hodgson, the early predictions are that the Eagles could have secured themselves a strong character to guide the squad.
The next fixture will be another good indication to how Glasner’s side can handle pressure, with a trip to North London in store as Spurs wait to test Palace next in the Premier League.
