Pierre Sage is under mounting pressure at Crystal Palace, with chairman Steve Parish granting him just two fixtures — against Besiktas and Newcastle United, both live on Sky Sports — to deliver an improvement in results and, more critically, in performances.

Crystal Palace have won only two Premier League games this season, and their defensive record stands as the worst in the division: 17 goals conceded in seven matches. The team have been too easy to play against, rarely controlling games and leaving Sage's long-term future increasingly uncertain.

A difficult hand, but patience is running thin

There is sympathy among supporters who feel Sage inherited a compromised squad. The departures of Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi were never adequately covered, and the player brought in to anchor the defence, Axel Disasi, has been suspended. Injuries to Chadi Riad and Takehiro Tomiyasu have forced constant changes to the back three — Sage has named an unchanged defensive line only once all season across all competitions.

Further up the pitch, Adam Wharton has struggled for form, with his performance against Brighton particularly underwhelming. Quinten Timber made a lively entrance to life in south London but a hamstring injury may now sideline him — a setback that could, however, force Daichi Kamada deeper into midfield, where the structure is urgently needed.

The absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr at full fitness has also blunted Crystal Palace's attack, yet there have been encouraging spells within matches suggesting the squad has genuine quality to offer.

Rivals waiting in the wings

Sage's position is made more precarious by the availability of several high-profile managers. Crystal Palace considered Thomas Frank, Gareth Southgate, and Domenico Tedesco before appointing Sage in the summer. Frank Lampard and Kieran McKenna also attracted serious interest — though McKenna would cost any club £8 million to hire before June next year.

Sage arrived having led Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and guided them to a French Cup triumph — a record that appealed to a club with its own proud cup history. He also turned down UEFA Champions League football to manage in the Premier League. Yet the early returns have fallen short of expectations.

Players back him — for now

Despite reports of frustration within the dressing room over communication, the majority of the Crystal Palace squad are understood to remain behind their manager. Timber, speaking earlier this week, expressed confidence that Sage can turn the situation around.

Sage himself has appeared increasingly strained in press conferences after cutting an upbeat figure earlier in his tenure. Results alone will not be enough to preserve his position — he must demonstrate a clear willingness to adapt both his tactics and his approach, or a change at the top is likely to follow.