Oliver Glasner says Crystal Palace’s winning streak at the end of last season meant “expecations were wrong” going into the current campaign.
Palace ended the 2023-24 campaign in scintillating form with six wins from seven, scoring 21 goals during that run as they achieved a highest ever Premier League points total with 49.
But they are yet to taste success in four games this season, with both their victories coming in the Carabao Cup as they sit on just two points.
The Austrian is overseeing his first full season in charge at Selhurst Park having taken over in February, when the Eagles were in real danger of relegation.
Ahead the visit of Manchester United – who they beat 4-0 during that late-season charge – on Saturday, Glasner believes some more realism is needed over what to expect from his side this term.
The 50-year-old said: “The last seven games were great but the first 31 weren’t great – it doesn’t mean it continues like the last seven.
“The expectations were wrong because when you win two it doesn’t mean you win the next one, and when you lost two it doesn’t mean you lose the next one.
“After 31 rounds we were five points away from relegation. That is fact.
“We didn’t expect we win every game and play Champions League. When your highest number is 49 [points] you can’t expect 78.”
The boss has provided an update on several players ahead of tomorrow’s fixture ℹ️
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 20, 2024
Team news for Manchester United clash
Glasner has confirmed that midfielder Adam Wharton is fit to face the Red Devils after sitting out their Carabao Cup win over QPR in midweek.
He said of the 20-year-old: “We have to manage him. He’s not painfree and some days are better, some days are worse, so he needed the rest [in midweek]. He had the entire game against Leicester and [playing] three days later just made no sense.
“He needs this time to rest, but now he’s fit.”
Glasner confirmed Trevoh Chalobah will have to wait longer to make his Eagles debut, with Matheus Franca, Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure also still absent.
