Pierre Sage taking 'huge risk' as Crystal Palace fear dressing room revolt

Pierre Sage is at risk of alienating some of his star players at Crystal Palace amid some controversial man-management decisions.

The 47-year-old has been emphatic in his decision-making at Selhurst Park, particularly with regard to his matchday squads, and has dropped big-name players entirely.

Jaydee Canvot became the latest victim, after Evann Guessand and Dwight McNeil were left out, with the boss insisting they must prove they deserve to play in his side.

Former Man United assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider that Sage is at risk of annoying his players and creating a negative atmospehere in the dressing room.

While there have not yet been any suggestion that this is the case at Selhurst Park, his man-management tactics rely on the players responding well to being axed.

Sage has demanded that his players show the right attitude and willingness to improve and perform, but is walking a fine line and could find himself in trouble.

Pierre Sage has 'broken the golden rule' at Crystal Palace

Brown told Football Insider on 14 September that Sage is at risk of casuing issues in the Crystal Palace dressing room after speaking out with criticisms of his players.

Alongside his decision to drop them from the squad, Sage has confirmed his choices publcily, bringing increased scritiny and criticism onto his players.

His recent decisions, while they may yet prove successful, have raised fears of potential dressing room issues at Selhurst Park as results continue to go against them.

"It has surprised me to see players being dropped out of the squad entirely," Brown told Football Insider.

"Of course the manager can have high standards, he can demand more of his players, but doing it publicly is the problem here because he should be protecting those players.

"I have a few questions about whether the decisions he's making are the right way to go about things as well, leaving players out of the squad.

"He is obviously demanding more from them, he says he wants to give them a kick up the backside and that's okay, but it has to be done right and with the right players.

"With the wrong players, it could cause problems because they'll run around complaining, their agents might get involved, and all of a sudden you have an issue in the dressing room.

"It sounds like a worst-case-scenario type of thing, but man management is so important and all it takes is one player and then you've got an issue.

"Sage must know his players can handle his methods, I'm sure of that, but it's quite a dramatic way of doing things and he's taking a huge risk."

Is Sage at risk of being sacked by Crystal Palace?

Amid some frustrations around what has been a slow start to the season, and concerns about his style of management, questions have been asked of Sage's future at Palace.

The Eagles lost 3-2 against Ipswich Town last time out, and have now lost three of their opening four Premier League games under the new manager.

However, Brown told Football Insider on 8 September that Crystal Palace are prepared to back Sage and will give him time to impress his ideas on a new-look squad.

Alongside the change in manager, Crystal Palace also signed 11 new players this summer, and they accept it will take time for all of their new arrivals to bed in.

However, there is also a feeling that results must improve sooner rather than later as they are keen to avoid getting dragged into an unexpected relegation battle.