Oliver Glasner has declared Crystal Palace to be in "survival mode" as the effects of a demanding schedule take their toll on his squad. Following a 1-1 draw against Fulham, Glasner expressed concern over his team's inability to perform at their peak due to fatigue.

The match against Fulham, which marked Palace's 31st game of the season, saw Jean-Philippe Mateta opening the scoring for the home side at Selhurst Park. However, Tom Cairney's impressive strike in the 80th minute leveled the score, and a late save from Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson prevented Fulham from completing a comeback.

Glasner pointed out the significant disparity in rest time between his team and their opponents. He noted that Fulham had an extra day of rest, having played on Saturday compared to Palace's Sunday match. Looking ahead, he highlighted the even shorter turnaround before their next game against Newcastle, where Palace would have only two days of rest compared to Newcastle's four. "We have never played a team with less rest than than us. Even Fulham had one day more," Glasner stated. "We play Newcastle next (on Sunday), and we have two days to rest and they have four. And we can see the physical difference".

Glasner was appointed as Crystal Palace manager in February 2024. Despite the current challenges, Glasner remains pragmatic, emphasizing the importance of securing every point possible under the circumstances. "It is always important to stay humble and respect every single point," he said. "With all the circumstances, we played well when the mind and legs were fresh, but in the end, it was a question of time when we conceded". He acknowledged that while the team performs well when fresh, fatigue inevitably leads to dropped points.

The manager's comments reflect concerns from late December 2025, when he admitted that his squad was experiencing mental fatigue. With a packed December schedule, Glasner recognized the challenge of maintaining fitness and sharpness within his squad. Following consecutive defeats to Strasbourg and Manchester United where Palace surrendered halftime leads, Glasner's patience appeared to be wearing thin.

Palace's current league position is seventh in the Premier League. Glasner, a Europa League winner with Eintracht Frankfurt, is known for his competitive drive and ambition to elevate Crystal Palace beyond mid-table mediocrity.

Glasner has implied that the club failed to adequately strengthen the squad's depth during the summer transfer window. With his contract expiring next summer, he has put pressure on the club to match his ambition or risk losing the momentum built since his arrival.

There is an expectation that Brennan Johnson from Tottenham will soon join the team. Tottenham has reportedly accepted a £35 million offer from Palace for the Wales international. However, Glasner refrained from commenting on the potential transfer until it is finalized, respecting Johnson's contractual obligations to his current club. "Please respect this because for me it is a respect not to talk about players who are under contract at a different club," Glasner stated.