Glasner on Premier League aims & what he expects from West Ham

First-team

18 Apr 2026

Oliver Glasner has been speaking ahead of Monday night's visit from West Ham United, as Crystal Palace return to Premier League action (20:00 BST) following another memorable European away day.

The Eagles turn their attentions back to domestic action after UEFA Conference League quarter-final success in Florence, looking to make it three wins in a row against the Hammers in the Premier League.

In a preview interview conducted ahead of Palace's successful trip to Italy, Glasner discussed his hopes of producing another big performance under the Selhurst Park lights, against a Hammers side who have won five of their last 11 Premier League matches, clambering out of the relegation zone in the process...

Read on for the key quotes below!

On what can still be achieved in the Premier League this season…

“We stopped a few weeks ago, or maybe months, talking about league positions.

“We focused more on the way we are playing, on the football we want to show on the pitch, and this helped us to perform better.

“The consequence of this was that we got more points and more wins. I think this is what we need to keep until the end of the season.

Quote Icons

We expect them to be highly motivated and very aggressive
—Oliver Glasner

“We’re not talking about the table because it's so tight and things can happen. It can change quickly, so really our focus is on our football, what we want to do, what we have to do.

“And we want to feel this great energy and spirit – then we will see and at the end [of the season] we will get what we deserve.”

On the challenge of facing West Ham…

“Huge credit to Nuno for what he did [since his appointment]. They were really struggling at the beginning of the season and even when he arrived, but in the last weeks they feel more consistent.

“I think honestly they maybe should have more points from their performances in the recent games they played. They only conceded a late equaliser against Manchester United at home.

“They had a great and important 4-0 win against Wolves at home in their last game. We expect them to be highly motivated and very aggressive because they're fighting against relegation.

“That's what we have to be ready for, to match their aggression and motivation. But the players showed it against Newcastle because it was the same situation. Newcastle were fresh and we had three days after a game in the Conference League.

“But we matched their intensity and motivation. If we can keep this, I think we'll also be able to win against West Ham.”

How he will use his squad against West Ham, as the European journey continues to the final part of the season…

“We will always see how the players are recovering. If players are still fatigued, it’s better to play ones who are fresh.

“You need to be 100% fit to be competitive in the Premier League. As soon as we have a feeling maybe a player is just 95%, another one will play and now we have better depth in the squad. At the moment we don't have a lot of injuries so this gives us the opportunity to make more changes if necessary.

“We had to make a change when Evann [Guessand] got injured in the first Fiorentina game, but this can happen.

“But we will always play the best available team.

“As soon as you’re not on your top level it's really tough to win games.”

Quote Icons

I'm always learning from my players
—Oliver Glasner

On Jean-Philippe Mateta’s recent impact on the team…

“I'm always learning from my players and I learned about JP. He's just such a fantastic person, such a lovely person.

“Everybody likes him because he's funny, but he's always working very hard.

“He's so professional. He's always the first one coming in in the morning. Then most of the time, he is the last one leaving. Sometimes he's two hours on the bed taking a massage.

“He tries to improve his game and he always plays for the team because he also understands that the better the team plays, the more chances he gets and the more goals he will score.

“He depends on his teammates and the teammates depend on him… that's why football is such an amazing team sport.”

On Tyrick Mitchell's development over the last two years…

"T was always one of the best defenders in the Premier League and I think he improved his attacking game massively not just by scoring goals and getting assists, but also really being a constant threat to the opposition.

"At the beginning [left wing-back] was new for him but that also shows him as a player and as a person that he was always open and wanted to get input on how he can improve his attacking game.

"He just worked hard on the pitch and then he gets the benefit – and if he gets the benefit, we all get the benefit, and that's what we really like."

Match Details

Crystal Palace v West Ham United

Monday, 20th April
20:00 BST
Selhurst Park
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

Related News

More News

Glasner on Premier League aims & what he expects from West Ham

First-team

18 Apr 2026

Oliver Glasner has been speaking ahead of Monday night's visit from West Ham United, as Crystal Palace return to Premier League action (20:00 BST) following another memorable European away day.

Read on for the key quotes below!

On what can still be achieved in the Premier League this season…

“We stopped a few weeks ago, or maybe months, talking about league positions.

“We focused more on the way we are playing, on the football we want to show on the pitch, and this helped us to perform better.

“The consequence of this was that we got more points and more wins. I think this is what we need to keep until the end of the season.

Quote Icons

We expect them to be highly motivated and very aggressive
—Oliver Glasner

“We’re not talking about the table because it's so tight and things can happen. It can change quickly, so really our focus is on our football, what we want to do, what we have to do.

“And we want to feel this great energy and spirit – then we will see and at the end [of the season] we will get what we deserve.”

On the challenge of facing West Ham…

“Huge credit to Nuno for what he did [since his appointment]. They were really struggling at the beginning of the season and even when he arrived, but in the last weeks they feel more consistent.

“I think honestly they maybe should have more points from their performances in the recent games they played. They only conceded a late equaliser against Manchester United at home.

“They had a great and important 4-0 win against Wolves at home in their last game. We expect them to be highly motivated and very aggressive because they're fighting against relegation.

“But we matched their intensity and motivation. If we can keep this, I think we'll also be able to win against West Ham.”

How he will use his squad against West Ham, as the European journey continues to the final part of the season…

“We will always see how the players are recovering. If players are still fatigued, it’s better to play ones who are fresh.

“We had to make a change when Evann [Guessand] got injured in the first Fiorentina game, but this can happen.

“But we will always play the best available team.

“As soon as you’re not on your top level it's really tough to win games.”

Quote Icons

I'm always learning from my players
—Oliver Glasner

On Jean-Philippe Mateta’s recent impact on the team…

“I'm always learning from my players and I learned about JP. He's just such a fantastic person, such a lovely person.

“Everybody likes him because he's funny, but he's always working very hard.

“He's so professional. He's always the first one coming in in the morning. Then most of the time, he is the last one leaving. Sometimes he's two hours on the bed taking a massage.

“He tries to improve his game and he always plays for the team because he also understands that the better the team plays, the more chances he gets and the more goals he will score.

“He depends on his teammates and the teammates depend on him… that's why football is such an amazing team sport.”

On Tyrick Mitchell's development over the last two years…

"At the beginning [left wing-back] was new for him but that also shows him as a player and as a person that he was always open and wanted to get input on how he can improve his attacking game.

"He just worked hard on the pitch and then he gets the benefit – and if he gets the benefit, we all get the benefit, and that's what we really like."

Match Details

Crystal Palace v West Ham United

Monday, 20th April
20:00 BST
Selhurst Park
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

Related News

More News