Pierre Sage regrets ‘missed 15 minutes’ as defeat increases heat on Crystal Palace manager

• Sage’s side beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle

• ‘Every mistake that is bad will be a goal’

Pierre Sage blamed a 15-minute loss of concentration for Crystal Palace’s 2-0 defeat by Newcastle and insisted he remains the right man to lead the south London club. “We missed 15 minutes when we came back from the dressing room,” said the Frenchman. “When you let your opponent take the initiative without pressure, without reply, it’s difficult.”

Palace have conceded 19 goals in eight games and have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, an obvious contrast to last season when Sage’s Lens side had the second-best defensive record in Ligue 1. “When we concede all these goals … you can interpret that through the style of play and also how well we are playing, especially defensively,” Sage said. “My way, my idea, is that the best way to defend is to have the ball”. The problem with that is that only the three promoted sides have had less possession than Palace. “Here every mistake, every situation that is bad for the team will be a goal,” Sage added.

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