I can see where you're coming from, but am suspicious of what managers say at press conferences.
In Coppell's days occasionally I would watch first team training at Mitcham.
Pre one game v the Wimbledon of Vinnie Jones and Fashanu, Coppell spoke of the difficult game he expected and how good the opponents where.
However, in the training session I watched Coppell said to his Palace players, 'If you stop the crosses you'll win 3-0.'
He exuded confidence and most of the session involved Palace working on finishing drills.

What's said for public consumption and what's said to the players can be very different things.

Not to constantly bring Roy up but the difference here is remarkable. His strategy was very much managing expectations and playing down our chances and I wonder how much that affected the team's confidence. Glasner seems much more dynamic and assertive.

I've been really impressed with Glasner so far, especially considering that this isn't his squad at all. If we support him this summer, will be much more excited to start next season than I was with this one.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold...

Saw this earlier, found it interesting at least.

Attachment: IMG_8413.jpeg (1,928.97Kb)

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

What has impressed me is the way many players who were all but written off as not PL quality have shown it abundantly in recent games.

Look at Ward in a back 3. Lerma stepping in to play at the back and looking comfortable. Even Clyne, a bit player in recent times, did a cracking job on Sunday. Mitchell’s work rate is great. Assisting a goal one at one end and blocking another at the other.

Hughes in midfield, biting, pressing, winning possession and playing telling passes has been a revelation. Schlupp, when required, has looked sharp and full of energy.

Mateta has looked a different player. Holds up well, is tricky in possession and is finishing. Ayew has also done well, but started to look tired, so was given a rest.

Wharton, still just 19, could prove to be our best find of recent years and is being encouraged to show his talents. Munoz is providing an interesting new outlet. Not down to Glasner but he is blending them in.

We already know the class of Eze and Olise and seeing them working together again with Mateta is a joy.

Then we still have Guehi and Doucoure to return and youngsters on the brink.

It looks to me as though the group around Glasner are working hard with some on an individual basis whilst Glasner coordinates. I guess that’s nothing so new, but it’s working. He seems quite genuinely proud of the team he inherited and thinks he can help them all develop. I think he is right.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

Great post.

I thought Roy was part of the problem in the end but equally find the OTT criticisms and vitriol thrown his way both distasteful and incorrect.

What I am seeing thus far, however, is the extent to which simplicity such as fitness, morale and an effective/clear strategic approach to football games can make the (PL quality) unit look more than the sum of it's parts as opposed to less.

Trying not to be delusional in my optimistism, I am hoping Glasner brings here what he has done elsewhere - an energetic team performing to the best of it's ability. Under Roy we looked very, very tired, labouring, mentally defeated and performing below where we could be.

I welcomed Roy's departure solely as he seemed lacking of a solution(s) to our injury hit, thin squad, low morale season. Glasner seems to have some answers and I am hoping that bodes well for another PL season next year.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

That could be true. In one of his interviews on Austrian television during his break from football, he was asked what he did during this time. Among other things, he mentioned that he had looked at other sports, including a visit to a basketball club in America. He mentioned how impressed he was with how much time was spent there talking to individual players and encouraging their personal development and that this mentoring wasn't just limited to the star players.