The past few weeks have been tough for Crystal Palace fans. After such an exciting 2025, our club has once again reached an all-too-familiar crossroads.
Results have stalled, goals have dried up and performances have become uninspiring.
One player who arrived in the summer with significant excitement and expectation was Yeremy Pino. Despite some promising signs in opening games, when the moments have come for him to step up and prove his quality, his form has fallen short.
For Oliver Glasner though, the issue is not limited to one player. Palace's frontline as a whole has struggled to impose itself, particularly with the key absence of Ismaila Sarr.
Fixture congestion has also taken its toll, five goals, five points and six injuries in just seven Premier League games is far from ideal preparation for meeting a fiercely in-form Aston Villa side.
So, is it time for Glasner to take a risk and gamble on youth?
Palace's identity has long been tied to its academy. From Wilfried Zaha to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrick Mitchell to Justin Devenny, the club's most influential figures have often been homegrown.
Glasner's willingness to hand a debut to Kaden Rodney and offer minutes to 16-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas suggests he is a manager open to that philosophy.
After playing just seven minutes in the Premier League and one game in the Conference League, Drakes-Thomas, who has been with the club since eight years old, has already caught the eye of fans with his confidence, threat and talent.
Yet there is an obvious risk. Young players learning on the job can lead to costly mistakes, and in a season where the league table is so tight, dropped points can quickly translate into pressure.
While trusting youth does not guarantee progress, neither does clinging to the hope of improved form that never seems to arrive.
For a club built on opportunity and development, Glasner may soon need to decide whether putting trust into the youth is a gamble – or the solution.
Find more from Ellie Killick at Eagle Eye View
