Sage on how Selhurst will drive Palace on versus Forest
Pierre Sage believes his Crystal Palace side can use the energy of the home crowd to their advantage when hosting Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon (14:00 BST).
The last four league meetings at Selhurst Park between Palace and Forest have ended in draws, and little separates the two going into Sunday's clash.
The visitors are just one point and two places above the Eagles, who are looking for a first home win of the new season.
When asked if he felt a big victory was not far around the corner, the Palace Manager said his ambition won't stop at one win, but added that if his team execute the finer details they would have a good chance of success.
"The big win would be to reach a big objective," Sage said at his press conference. "Every day we've had some little wins. Some steps we've done in a good way and we'll go forward in our way of playing.
"But it's not only about one game, because I think we have to be more ambitious than that.
"Because these two teams are close in the table, close in the way of the playing, and because they have a former player and former manager (Daniel Muñoz and Oliver Glasner).
"That's why the small details are really important. And the atmosphere could be one of the best details to deal with, in a good way.
"I know the fans will be with us at 100%, but if they can put in just another 1% (more than normal) it will be better for us."
Sunday will the first time Sage's predecessor in the Manager's office has returned to Selhurst Park.
And the French coach spoke in complimentary fashion about his opposite number, Oliver Glasner.
"I don't want to compare, but I have big respect for what he did for the club," said Sage. "And what he did before because I knew him a long time, not personally, but as a manager.
"They won three titles here, that was the first time for the club. That's a line of the history of this club.
"I have big respect for him, as I have big respect for Daniel Muñoz who left during this summer.
"When you leave from a club, as was my case with Lens, there's a little bit of frustration and some people are upset by that, because they like you.
"I expect, and I hope, they have a good reception."
I have big respect for him
—Pierre Sage
The Eagles did not lose either of their last two games before the three-week international break. But they were held to a goalless draw against Leeds at the Elland Road, the first time Sage's side had drawn a blank since the opening day against Everton.
It was a performance that the Palace boss is now looking to build on as the Premier League returns against Forest.
"It was a good performance," said Sage. "Which shows that we can find the balance between attack and defence, but we don't want to lose something when we develop another thing.
"That's why we defended well and in this game we create some chances to win. I think at the end we deserved better.
"The result was a draw, but I think we could win there because we created a lot of chances. When you are able to play to create these kinds of chances and to prevent all the intentions of your opponent, it's a good sign but it's only one game.
"We have to do it every game. That was a good step for us, but we have to back it up on Sunday."
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest
- Sunday, 11th October
- 14:00 BST
- Premier League
- Selhurst Park
- Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.