Oliver Glasner has conceded that his Crystal Palace players become tense in front of goal following their 1-0 loss to Tottenham.
Palace controlled long spells of the contest against Spurs, but were made to pay just before the interval when Archie Gray nodded in the decisive goal.
Glasner was left to lament yet another profligate display from his side and admitted it is becoming more evident that his players are battling with their choices in the attacking third.
“My feeling is, and that’s why it’s now really to support (the players), the closer we come to the goal, the more nervous we get in decision-making, should we pass, finish and everything,” Glasner said in his post-match press conference.
“Because the players, they are not stupid, they know all the things I’m talking about, because they are very self-critical.”
Palace are beginning to feel the toll of a demanding run of fixtures, with defender Chris Richards watching from the stands against Spurs after picking up an injury in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Glasner had been hopeful Richards would be fit in time to face Fulham on New Year’s Day, but expressed uncertainty when asked about the American international’s condition after the match.
“We don’t know if he’s available for Fulham, but once again, his foot got stitched, it’s swollen, it goes into the right direction, but you have to wear a boot and kick a ball, and when you have the wound right there, it’s very, very painful,” Glasner continued.
“So again, it can be that he misses Fulham, it can be that he is available. But I have seen a team today that was able to win against Tottenham.
“We couldn’t achieve it, but I’ve seen every single player who participated in the game. Everyone’s effort could have been enough to win it. So this gives me a good feeling for the Fulham game.”