Crystal Palace and Newcastle face off with both in search of season kickstart

Pierre Sage and Matthias Jaissle were appointed this summer and good form has been elusive, with injuries and tactics as factors

Conceding 17 goals in seven Premier League matches is not exactly the start Pierre Sage or Crystal Palace’s hierarchy would have hoped for. The transition from Oliver Glasner’s counterattacking 3-4-2-1 formation to the Frenchman’s more aggressive approach has exposed massive weaknesses in defence, culminating with last week’s humiliating defeat at Brighton. Palace fans became used to success under Glasner and they are already looking nervously over their shoulders at the bottom three. Even their league wins under Sage so far – against Fulham and Nottingham Forest – could have ended in defeat. Something doesn’t seem right in south London. EA

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