'Best Boss & Team in Palace History' - But Will It Be a Special Season?

Sitting fourth in the standings, boasting quality throughout the squad, and led by an elite manager - Crystal Palace are experiencing their finest Premier League season to date.

Marc Guehi's stoppage-time header earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Fulham, moving Palace into the top four.

Accumulating 26 points from 15 games is a club record for this point in a Premier League campaign, establishing them as serious candidates for Champions League football.

Eddie Nketiah, who scored the opener at Craven Cottage on his 50th club appearance, stated that "the sky is the limit" if the team maintains this excellent form, while manager Oliver Glasner was effusive in his praise.

"The pride I feel comes from a colossal collective effort from the entire team," Glasner remarked. "Our standing is a direct result of that."

This commendation comes merely days after Glasner voiced strong disapproval over the club's transfer activity in the wake of a loss against Manchester United.

Amidst the manager's impending contract expiry and doubts over the futures of stars like Guehi and Adam Wharton, worries linger behind the scenes.

Can Palace's ownership retain the manager responsible for this success? And can the team sustain this high level to genuinely craft a memorable season in south London?

'The Best Boss the Club Has Ever Had'

Oliver Glasner took charge at Palace in February 2024, building on successful tenures at Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Under his leadership, the team has broken its Premier League points record twice and clinched a historic first major trophy by winning the FA Cup.

This success opened the door to European football and was complemented by a Community Shield win against the league champions.

A prominent pundit remarked: "This is undoubtedly the greatest manager and squad in the history of Crystal Palace. Fans could never have dreamed of such success before his appointment."

Selhurst Park has become a formidable fortress, with the team remaining unbeaten there in the league this season until last weekend's defeat.

On their travels, the team's performances have arguably been superior.

Since Glasner's first match in March 2024, only Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City have accrued more Premier League points on the road than Crystal Palace.

The manager did not hesitate to express his disappointment with the club's transfer strategy after a key player was sold.

His team has lost all league matches played after midweek European fixtures this season, highlighting issues with squad depth and schedule management.

Glasner pointedly stated the club had "wasted" the opportunity for an even better season by not spending. A pundit noted: "When he gets a result he doesn't like, he is not shy in being outspoken... They probably have to accept it because he is the greatest manager in their history."

Roster Size a Concern Amidst Busy Fixture List

It is evident that Glasner is a manager with significant ambition.

He evidently feels the squad's size is a constraint, and his public remarks could be a catalyst for winter signings.

With Glasner's contract set to expire in June, the club's ambitions must quickly align with the manager's if the current success is to be prolonged.

A former professional goalkeeper commented: "The contract talk is a huge topic... The board should be desperate to secure his future. His achievements have been extraordinary. His post-match anger stemmed from a feeling of not being supported. The coming transfer window will be very revealing."

Guehi's contract also concludes this summer, and interest from top clubs in the England defender is expected to grow.

Creative midfielder Adam Wharton is also the subject of considerable demand from several clubs.

Stars such as Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta will have their own ambitions of reaching the Champions League.

"The squad's not big enough to rotate players, and it strains the league games. A top-six finish would be incredible, but other big clubs are chasing the same goal," the pundit added.

While this is Palace's most glorious period, it is also a fragile one, with the specter of a breakup threatening to derail a magnificent season.