Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson has called for “unity” as the club navigates a turbulent period marked by fan discontent and inconsistent performances, ahead of Thursday’s crucial Europa Conference League playoff second leg against Zrinjski Mostar.
The plea for cohesion comes after a banner displayed at Sunday’s 1-0 win over Wolves – only Palace’s second victory in their last 16 matches – criticized both the club’s board and manager Oliver Glasner. The banner lamented “missed opportunities” since the team’s FA Cup triumph last May and declared Glasner “finished” following his request for supporters to “stay humble.”
Henderson, who became a fan favorite after saving a penalty in last season’s FA Cup final victory against Manchester City, and subsequently contributing £1,000 to a pub tab following the Community Shield win over Liverpool, acknowledged the difficulties. He emphasized the players’ responsibility for the recent struggles. “It’s been a difficult period and I think the players have to take a lot of responsibility, since we’ve got to do better, ” Henderson said.
The current situation represents a stark contrast to the optimism surrounding Palace following their FA Cup success. Henderson was appointed captain in January after Marc Guéhi’s transfer to Manchester City, a move that coincided with a humbling defeat to non-league Macclesfield in the FA Cup. Supporters’ frustration boiled over during the first leg against Zrinjski Mostar, with calls for Glasner’s dismissal following a 1-1 draw.
Glasner, who secured the Europa League title with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, has reportedly reached an agreement with chairman Steve Parish to see out his contract until the end of the season. He addressed concerns about player focus, suggesting some may be prioritizing potential transfers. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton, Daniel Muñoz, and Daichi Kamada have all been linked with summer moves.
Henderson issued a warning to any player whose commitment is wavering. “If you don’t put the performances in order, you don’t get the move you want, so they need to be very careful,” he stated. He likewise noted that Wharton’s recent dip in form may be linked to a significant increase in playing time this season, exceeding 1,000 minutes more than his previous campaign due to Palace’s European involvement.
Glasner pointed to the challenges of balancing domestic and European commitments, referencing his conversations with Eddie Howe at Newcastle United during their first Champions League campaign. Despite the difficulties, Glasner maintains that Palace are in a strong position, having accumulated the second-highest point total at this stage in the club’s history.
Palace currently sit three points behind Bournemouth in the Premier League table, and Glasner believes the team is capable of challenging for European qualification again next season. However, he refrained from making any bold predictions about their chances in the Conference League, stating, “Every team will enter the competition to win it… it just makes no sense to talk now about it.”
