Oliver Glasner has conceded he should have pushed harder for additional summer reinforcements at Crystal Palace because the Premier League’s “intensity” leads to a higher risk of injuries.
The FA Cup winners were on Friday completing the £35m capture of Brennan Johnson to strengthen a squad hit hard by fitness problems and the absence of Ismaila Sarr at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Austrian had previously expressed his frustration at the lack of transfer movement following the home loss to Manchester United in late November, when he stated: “It’s the first time in your history that you play European football. So let’s invest instead of saving.”
However, the South London side — who sold Eberechi Eze to Arsenal during the summer — are now poised to break their own transfer record by bringing in Johnson from Spurs. The Wales international was not registered in time to feature against Newcastle on Sunday.
Glasner has now acknowledged that the physical “intensity” of the Premier League — with no winter break — should have prompted him to lobby more strongly for added depth ahead of their UEFA Conference League campaign.
“There is nobody to blame,” said the Eagles boss. “I was quite harsh once when I said: ‘Ok, maybe we should have added one or two more players given the circumstances. But like always, I am always looking in the mirror and asking: Could you have done better?
“I think I should have had a better evaluation of the whole situation that I had in the summer.
“I always talk to the chairman and the board. I think the size of the squad is enough but I did not consider that you could have an issue with your knee, with your foot, Ismaila twisted his ankle and his ligament was partly ruptured. All these situations can help when you don’t have an influence
“And the intensity, especially in the duels in the Premier League, is just higher than in any of the other leagues.
“I should have considered more of these injuries because then I would have been harsher on getting one or two more players in.”
Will Hughes was withdrawn with an adductor problem during the 1-1 draw with Fulham — Palace’s sixth straight match without a victory — joining Chris Richards, Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada and Eddie Nketiah on the injury list.
They travel to Newcastle on Sunday, where they suffered a 5-0 defeat last season.
“They are a high intensity team, especially at home. Pace everywhere. Great, dominant central midfield. We will do our best to do it better than last year.”