Oliver Glasner is still on the hunt for his first league win of the season and has opted to stay behind to work with his squad during the international break.
In an exclusive report, LondonWorld reveals that Crystal Palace and Ipswich played out an engaging 2-2 friendly behind closed doors on Wednesday. Most of Palace’s players not on international duty, including striker Eddie Nketiah, were involved.
Palace manager Glasner is committed to turning things around, staying at the club’s training ground, Copers Cope Road, to work on solutions for their slow start to the season.
Following defeats to West Ham and Everton, the pressure is growing, and the recent draws against Manchester United and Chelsea no longer seem enough. According to sources at the club, Glasner fielded a strong team for the friendly, with several first-team regulars participating.
However, Adam Wharton and Chris Richards did not feature in the game. Wharton, who has struggled with fatigue due to a heavy workload, was likely grateful for the rest, while Richards remains sidelined with an injury.
On the other hand, Joel Ward was involved as Glasner made tactical tweaks, treating the match as vital for finding answers to the team’s disappointing form.
Palace tested various systems during the game, shifting from a 4-3-3 to a 4-1-4-1, as Glasner explored different approaches.
Meanwhile, Ipswich, who have been in good form recently, were pleased with their performance, holding their own against a Premier League side and leaving London after an encouraging draw.
With the pressure intensifying, Palace will be hoping to repeat last season’s recovery. After a slow start, Glasner’s arrival helped the team rally, leading to a 10th-place finish, equaling their best-ever result in the Premier League.
