The 2023/24 campaign has been a truly miserable one for Crystal Palace fans.
We are on course to record our worst points total since returning to the Premier League in 2013 thanks to a woeful period under Roy Hodgson, who also oversaw a humiliating 4-1 defeat to bitter rivals Brighton.
It has also been a ridiculous campaign in terms of injuries.
Hodgson even had to bring a list of names with him to one press conference earlier this season to remember which players were absent through injury, with the likes of Marc Guehi, Cheick Doucoure, Matheus Franca, Sam Johnstone and Chris Richards still absent.
Some inside Selhurst Park believe the 76-year-old’s training methods played a part in these fitness issues.
Now, a piece of news coming from Brentford should spark Crystal Palace into action…
Crystal Palace must copy Brentford
Well – according to the Evening Standard – Brentford have now launched an internal investigation to find out why so many players are suffering injuries.
The Bees are keen to get to the root of the problem after enduring 29 different injuries this season.
Thomas Frank has also confirmed this review will take place, saying: “We’re doing a big review into what kind of injuries we’ve had and how quickly they (injured players) have returned to be able to play.”
Now, we think Crystal Palace should follow suit.
There is no point even having the likes of Michael Olise, Ebere Eze, Guehi, Doucoure and Franca – all of whom are superb talents – if we can’t keep them fit.
As we enter the middle of April, Crystal Palace fans have only been able to see Eze and Olise share a pitch on seven occasions this season.
Furthermore, only the 2-1 defeat away to Luton saw Guehi, Olise, Eze, Olise and Doucoure all start together, although that did not last long as the latter duo were forced off with serious injuries.
Investigation needed
This is a real issue, and one Crystal Palace have to amend this summer.
Dougie Freedman’s role as Director of Football effectively becomes meaningless if the gems he finds in the market can only play a handful of games per season.
The longer these injuries occur, the more money Steve Parish is pouring down the drain – hopefully, a solution can be found.
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