'Finding many faults in recent matches remains difficult'

Relegation may be a statistical unlikelihood for Crystal Palace, but it may be a closer-run race than anyone will be truly comfortable with.

The weekend's results went against them, all while the team is on course for the lowest Premier League points tally in the 11 seasons since promotion.

The last time the team was left with 30 points at this stage was Roy Hodgson's first - 2017-18 - when he proceeded to gather 14 points and go unbeaten for the final six matches, finishing 11th.

Oliver Glasner will no doubt wish to replicate such a run, albeit against more challenging opponents.

However, despite poor form on paper, finding many faults in recent matches remains difficult. The performance against Manchester City was spirited, even if the result, much like the previous three games, was ultimately frustrating.

Glasner’s substitutes, namely Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise, impacted the game, and the conditioning levels have improved since the Austrian coach's arrival.

Olise may be the largest glimmer of hope, and while his return was time-restricted on Saturday, he may offer the cutting edge the side has lacked in tight matches.

The squad issues throughout the season beyond Glasner’s tenure have been well documented, as have the injury woes. But the post-mortem will have to wait.

This is a club in desperate need of a blank slate in the summer to rebuild the playing staff. For now, they need a few results to close out this largely disappointing season.

Alex Pewter can be found at FYP podcast