Pierre Sage sack timeline revealed amid messages from leading Crystal Palace stars

Pierre Sage needs a response from Crystal Palace, and quickly, with his future hanging in the balance.

Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat pushed Palace down to 17th, with only one point separating them from the relegation zone, and two wins from eight league matches tell their own story.

REUTERS/David Klein

Even more worrying is the number of goals going in at the other end.

Palace have conceded 19, the worst defensive return in the division, after their 5-0 hammering at Brighton.

Newcastle then exposed those weaknesses again, with William Osula striking shortly after the interval at Selhurst Park before Harvey Barnes added the second, leaving Sage with another damaging result to explain.

Potential replacements are already being discussed, with Sean Dyche emerging as a prominent name.

His work keeping Burnley and Everton in the Premier League would offer obvious appeal to a struggling side, but Thomas Frank is also in the conversation, alongside Kieran McKenna.

Frank has managed Brentford and Tottenham, while McKenna’s work at Ipswich previously attracted Palace’s attention.

There could be a financial consideration behind the eventual choice, and Palace would likely prefer someone currently without a club, allowing them to avoid paying compensation to another employer.

That leaves chairman Steve Parish weighing up whether Sage can repair the damage or whether a different voice is needed.

The appointment was supposed to build on Sage’s success at Lens, where he finished second in Ligue 1. Instead, attention has turned towards whether he will survive the autumn.

Liverpool are also waiting before the November international break, giving Palace little breathing room.

Pierre Sage expected to be sacked if Crystal Palace lose at Tottenham

REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

Now, Guardian journalist Ed Aarons has delivered an update suggesting Saturday’s trip to Tottenham could decide his future, with Sage facing a stay of execution and a loss to Spurs potentially meaning he’ll be sacked.

That said, two leading Palace stars have apparently sent messages of support to Sage.

That would leave Sage preparing for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup visit to Fulham with the prospect of an even more consequential London derby waiting just three days later.

A quarter-final place is available at Craven Cottage, offering Palace an opportunity to put something positive on the board before returning to league business.

The backing from two leading players is an encouraging detail for Sage, and their rumoured support suggests he still has influential allies within the squad.

REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

Those players now have an opportunity to help him on the pitch, where Palace urgently need greater form.

Tottenham head into this fixture after winning 2-0 at Chelsea on Saturday, and Roberto De Zerbi’s side will present another serious test of Palace’s ability after winning back-to-back league games.