Mitchell: We need to get back to basics tonight
Tyrick Mitchell hopes Crystal Palace show strong fundamentals when they challenge Beşiktaş in the UEFA Europa League tonight.
The Eagles have struggled defensively in their last two matches, and come up against a Beşiktaş team boasting some strong attacking talents, having scored four against Marseille in their previous home European game this season.
Yet prior to the September international window, Palace had kept three clean sheets in four matches – including in their own Europa League opener – the kind of form which Mitchell hopes his team revert to tonight.
“I wouldn't say there's something not working,” the full-back replied to questions on Palace defensively. “As players, there are a few basics we need to get back to, like being more aggressive, being harder to beat.
“I think sometimes there might be a lack of focus from us, allowing noise, and pressure from the opposing team, to get on top of us and concede early.
“But I think the main thing for us is getting back to basics – because we have all the ingredients going into the game that we need.”
The gaffer's given me the opportunity to show it
—Tyrick Mitchell
Mitchell excelled offensively in the early weeks of the 2026/27 campaign, scoring a first career brace in a 3-2 win at Fulham and even hitting the back of the net at Leeds United – what would have been the winner, were it not for a VAR review – to be voted the fans’ Temporal Player of the Month for September.
“I think the gaffer has given me a bit more confidence going forward and I feel like when we're attacking we're more free-flowing, so I'm able to get into positions that sometimes I might not have got into last season,” he reflected.
“I think it's the licence from the gaffer to express ourselves when attacking. I wouldn't say I was the best attacker at certain stages of my career, but it's something I've wanted to work on and have worked on.
“The gaffer's given me the opportunity to show it in games.”
Match details
Beşiktaş v Crystal Palace
- Thursday, 22nd October
- 20:00 BST UK time / 22:00 local time
- Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul, Türkiye
- UEFA Europa League
- Live audio commentary on Palace TV+