Pierre Sage insisted that Crystal Palace need to start to show more efficiency in the final third if they are to start winning games.
The Eagles have lost their opening two Premier League games for a sixth time, having been beaten 2-0 away at Everton and 4-1 at home to Manchester City.
Last week, following the heavy defeat to Enzo Maresca’s side, Sage felt that his side had competed for around 65 minutes. However, the Frenchman claimed that Palace needed to show more in the attacking areas of the pitch.
Following the opening two matchweeks of the Premier League season, the Eagles currently rank joint top alongside Manchester United and Brighton for most big chances missed with seven.
When asked about what positives he had seen from his first two games in charge, Sage reiterated the importance of the Eagles taking their opportunities.
“How we play and how we build up in the two games, how we attacked in the two first halves.
“Now we have to be more efficient in the final third, especially in finishing, because we create chances and we've scored only one goal.
“It was a good free kick [from Yéremy Pino], but we need to be able to score in open play.
“We are able to score in open play, and we have to do it now.”
Sage also spoke about one of his new signings, Quinten Timber, saying he could help the side in attacking areas, but stated that he was best suited as a box-to-box midfielder.
During his 16 appearances for Marseille during the second half of last season, Timber’s standout statistic was his passing accuracy (86%).
In the first half of the 2025/26 season, which the Dutch midfielder spent at Feyenoord, Timber racked up an expected assists count of 3.9, which ended up as the fourth-highest in the squad for Eredivisie stats
When asked whether he could be effective in any midfield role, Sage reaffirmed that he was most comfortable as a box-to-box, though things could change depending on performances.
“He can play another position. In the last game with Marseille, he played as a winger, but he came off at halftime.
“That's why I think he's more comfortable in this department of play.
“Before giving him a lot of perspectives, we have to let him play with what he's able to do and what he has confidence in.
“After a lot of performances, maybe we can change that.”
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