threads on potential next crystal palace managers… 🔜⏳

A “pinch me” moment headed to the pub. For the 2016 final, I watched alone. I couldn’t find a Palace group, so I created one. Today, just like last May, I’ll be watching with a small (but growing!) crew of passionate supporters. Spreading the beauty of this club is my joy.

Two hours remaining till kickoff! To ease any nerves, check out my analysis on Palace’s magical European journey (so far!) I wrote about what’s worked, what needed improvement, and the beauty of this entire moment. Found on the official club site/app! 👇🏼 #CPFC www.cpfc.co.uk/news/feature...

No Selhurst matchday programme for this one, but please enjoy my final 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔 article of the season! I went in-depth on our opponents from Vallecas. Find it here via the official Palace app/website 👇🏼 #CPFC #UECL www.cpfc.co.uk/news/feature...

•from a working class district in the capital’s south •represent a multicultural community •anti-establishment •fought bankruptcy in early 2010s •passionate support Could be Crystal Palace, but it’s actually Rayo Vallecano! Discover their history, tactics, & more in my series: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

I’m back! Hopefully wasn’t missed too much here! Some issues with account security (allegedly) led me to being locked out for a while. I’ve returned just in time to give some vital info on Rayo Vallecano!

Crystal Palace at Sunderland: Total Expected Assists (xA): 0.87 •Yeremy Pino: 0.59 xA Total Expected Goals on Target (xGOT): 1.04 •Pino: 0.81 xGOT The Spaniard accounted for the vast majority of Crystal Palace’s attacking output - creating for himself AND teammates. #CPFC

Chance Quality vs. Finishing Quality, with bubble size reflecting shot volume Interestingly, Crystal Palace and Manchester City are near-identical in both. The difference is 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞. City attempt far more shots, creating more opportunities for goals. #CPFC #PL

𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬: 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 7 Jan 2026 Aston Villa are a second half team - and there's reason to believe it's sustainable. For Crystal Palace, a fast start isn't optional today. My full preview in today's matchday programme explains why. #CPFC #AVFC

It’s all about context. Crystal Palace had 13 fully healthy senior players available. Knowing that, I’ll 𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒚 take a point & a clean sheet against the side currently 3rd in the table. #CPFC

After Sunderland & Chelsea, February begins a 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 pivotal stretch of matches. These 6 weeks could define our season. #CPFC

If you told a Crystal Palace supporter that, after 20 matches, Palace would be 4 points away from 5th (a likely UCL place), they’d be ecstatic! If you told a Crystal Palace supporter that, after 20 matches, Palace would be 14th, they’d be angry. Somehow, both are true.

52% of the goals conceded by Crystal Palace during the 2025-26 Premier League season have come from set pieces. This is 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐫 the highest rate in the league. All other criticisms are secondary. This is the priority. It must be fixed. #CPFC

Adam Wharton & Yeremy Pino (combined): 7.1 xAG 7.3 xA 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 This isn’t a creativity problem. It’s a finishing problem. #CPFC

Justin Devenny’s role here suggests pragmatism over attacking intent. Fulham attack down their left 41% of the time - 2nd highest rate in the PL. Antonee Robinson’s return at LB strengthens this. With Daniel Muñoz out, Devenny likely helps shield Clyne defensively. #CPFC #FFC

As 2025 draws to a close, let’s reflect back on the year that was. Crystal Palace supporters may disagree often, but one thing is indisputable.. This has been the greatest calendar year in the history of Crystal Palace Football Club. Let’s toast to that! To more in 2026 🥂

Oliver Glasner does not believe fatigue played a role in Crystal Palace’s defeat at Leeds United. Match data backs his claim. Rather than tired legs, the loss falls on the absence of Daichi Kamada, Daniel Muñoz, & Ismaïla Sarr (and poor set piece defending). Let’s review 🧵

What if Crystal Palace didn’t lose at Leeds because of fatigue — but because of who 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 on the pitch? 𝐸𝑎𝑠𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒. #CPFC #LUFC

Crystal Palace’s opponent for the UEFA Conference League play-off round will be one of: 🇧🇦 Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇨🇿 Sigma Olomouc of Czechia If the Eagles advance, they have a 50/50 chance of getting a rematch with 🇨🇾Larnaca in the round of 16 #CPFC #UECL

𝐍𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 -failed to put opponent away (again) after taking lead -1st teamers forced to play -2 more matches added 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 -youngsters (especially JDT) -Uche confidence builder -squad showed resilience -1 more European away day for traveling fans! #CPFC #KuPS #UECL

2025-26 OPPONENT PREVIEWS: “TALKING TACTICS” (from the official Crystal Palace home matchday programme!) 🇫🇮 Kuopion Palloseura (“KuPS”): 18 December 2025 #CPFC #KuPS #UECL

A graphic from Football Supporters Europe showing how many tickets FIFA's new $60 tier actually accounts for.

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝑃𝑃𝐷𝐴 𝑣𝑠 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

Crystal Palace had 32 touches in the opposition box, nearly tripling Manchester City’s 12. This was not a good thing. Palace’s 32 touches came from 13 entries - showing a hesitance to shoot. City’s 12 touches came from 8 entries - more decisive & quicker to react. #CPFC #MCFC

Crystal Palace nearly doubled the quality of chances that Manchester City generated Removing the penalty, the Eagles generated over FIVE TIMES more xG than their opponents (2.08-0.4) This match came down to clinical finishing vs squandering chances. Simple as that #CPFC #MCFC

ESPN released their list of Top 50 American players, based on club form. A familiar face is at number 1! The article also includes some very complimentary words on Crystal Palace, including this excerpt: “Palace is the best team any American is currently playing for” #CPFC

Gonna be instantly put into a good mood whenever I walk into my office this week! Who knows how long this run lasts.. I’m gonna enjoy every moment while it does! #CPFC

MATCH REVIEW: FULHAM (A) 𝐴𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑟𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎. Marc Guehi’s late header earned the Eagles 3 points in a tough contest at Craven Cottage Let’s see what worked, what didn’t, and how players fared #CPFC #FFC #PL

A thread to view all my “Talking Tactics” opponent previews in one place! Remember, you can find them in every home matchday programme for this season 🙌🏻 #CPFC

For all his faults, he’ll forever be one of our own ❤️💙 Big congratulations to Wilf as he earned a return into the Côte d’Ivoire squad, and best of luck to Les Éléphants at AFCON 👏🏼👏🏼 #AFCON2025 #AFCON

Marc Guehi is 𝟐𝐧𝐝 amongst 𝑎𝑙𝑙 central defenders in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues for goal involvements. His 4 G+A is only bested by Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, who has 5. Guehi’s nose for goal & creative passing is icing on the cake - considering his defensive capabilities! #CPFC

MATCH REVIEW: BRIGHTON (H) An analysis of Crystal Palace matches using data. The two rivals played to a scoreless draw in a cagey match that never really hit top gear. It was an affair which saw some nuanced tactical changes from both sides. Let’s get into it! #CPFC #BHAFC #PL

Despite playing just 30 minutes, Yeremy Pino led Crystal Palace in: -shots -shot sequence involvements -expected assists (xA) -expected goal contributions (xG + xA) He was also 2nd in passes into the pen. area & attempted Palace’s only shot on goal after the 8th minute. #CPFC

Against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace registered 3.38 xG & 2.59 NPxG in the 2nd half ALONE Both numbers are *top* of their respective metrics for an ENTIRE Premier League match this season 🤯 Palace’s full match xG of 4.25 ranks 2nd for any Top 5 European match this season #CPFC

The heart in this Crystal Palace side. A thorough dismantling of a VERY good side in the Second Half. A goal against the run of play the only thing that kept Bournemouth sharing the points. Oliver Glasner has elevated the mentality in SE25. #CPFC

Many of my students’ families face real financial struggles. For them, sports are more than just games. They’re a safe outlet, a source of pride, and a path toward a brighter future. If you can, please consider supporting our student-athletes ❤️💙 #CPFC #EPL #PL t.co/PaHsedSyLi

Back to front. Guehi -> Pino -> Sarr -> Muñoz 9 total touches to cover the pitch & score. Direct vertical football. #CPFC

MATCH REVIEW: DYNAMO KYIV (A) European nights for Crystal Palace: stuff dreams are made of. Some waited generations for what happened in Lublin, as the Eagles kicked off the league phase of UEFA Conference League with an emphatic win. Let’s see how it happened! #CPFC

As Crystal Palace extends one streak, they’ll look to end another on the weekend. Now 19 matches unbeaten, the Eagles will look to win away to Everton - something they haven’t done since September 2014. Let’s hope one streak goes to 20 & the other ends at 11! #CPFC

It’s probably fair to assume that a lot of Crystal Palace supporters don’t know much about their next opponents, Dynamo Kyiv. Let’s change that! We’ll dive into how they got to the league phase of UEFA Conference League, style of play, and key players to watch 👍🏽 #CPFC

Premier League Non-Penalty Expected Goal (NPxG) Leaders Crystal Palace have 2 of the top 3, and Ismaila Sarr’s numbers are even more impressive when considering he’s missed two matches! But Erling Haaland, wow.. he nearly has more NPxG than 2nd through 4th *combined* 🤯 #CPFC

MATCH REVIEW: LIVERPOOL (H) It was a classic “tale of two halves” at Selhurst Park as the two remaining unbeatens in the Premier League squared off Eddie Nketiah’s dramatic stoppage time winner increased the Eagles streak to 18 matches without a loss. Let’s have a look! #CPFC

Remaining unbeaten clubs in the 2025-26 Premier League: -Crystal Palace End of list. #CPFC

Chris Richards is in the 80th percentile or higher for PL CBs in BOTH Att. 3rd Tackles (82nd) & Att. 3rd Touches (80th) This shows a new wrinkle in his game: pushing higher up the pitch Considering #CPFC are 18th in avg possession, his high Att. 3rd touches is extra impressive!

Crystal Palace’s front 3 has looked a bit out of sync so far. Despite this, they are: -6th in goals -3rd in xG, 4th in NPxG -5th in xAG & xA -8th in shots, 6th in SoT, 5th in SoT% -2nd in NPxG/shot -5th in points, 2nd in xPTS Not bad for still figuring the attack out 🤷🏼‍♂️ #CPFC

Crystal Palace were last in dispossessions for *EVERY* season from 2019/20 through 2023/24. They were 19th or 20th in miscontrols for 2.5 seasons before Oliver Glasner’s arrival. In Glasner’s first full season, the Eagles ranked 6th in both measures & are 5th in both currently.

Non-Penalty Expected Goal Difference (NPxGD) is the “gold standard” for assessing performance It simply looks at cumulative quality of chances created against cumulative quality of chances conceded- removing luck, “purple patches,” etc. #CPFC are +3.34, 2nd in the PL (only to Arsenal’s +3.96)

Office door update! Still a lonnnnggg way to go for this season, but nice to be in that upper quadrant currently! #CPFC

All forms of football are appreciated here 🤷🏼‍♂️

In April of 2025, Crystal Palace lost consecutive matches where they conceded 10 goals (5 in each match). Since then, the Eagles have gone unbeaten across all competitions, conceding just 11 goals (!!) in 17 matches. #CPFC