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Sitting fourth in the standings, boasting quality throughout the squad, and led by an elite manager - Crystal Palace are experiencing their finest Premier League season to date.

A late header from Marc Guehi secured a narrow 2-1 away win at Fulham on Sunday, propelling the Eagles into the Champions League positions.

With 26 points from their first 15 games, a club best, Palace have firmly entered the conversation for a place in next season's Champions League.

After netting the first goal on his milestone 50th appearance, Eddie Nketiah claimed "the sky is the limit" for this in-form side, a sentiment echoed by manager Oliver Glasner's commendation.

"I could mention many players but it was a huge team effort - that makes me very proud, stated the manager. "Our standing is a direct result of that."

Yet, this praise follows closely on the heels of Glasner's frank critique of the club's lack of summer spending after a defeat to Manchester United.

With his contract expiring at season's end and uncertainty surrounding key players like Guehi and Adam Wharton, underlying concerns persist at Selhurst Park.

The pressing questions are whether the board can secure the manager's future and if the squad can continue this run to make history.

'An Unprecedented Managerial Era'

Glasner's appointment in early 2024, following notable achievements in the Bundesliga, marked a turning point for the club.

His tenure has seen record-breaking league points hauls and the landmark achievement of an FA Cup triumph.

This success opened the door to European football and was complemented by a Community Shield win against the league champions.

A prominent pundit remarked: "The current setup represents the pinnacle of managerial and playing talent the club has ever seen. Fans could never have dreamed of such success before his appointment."

Their home form has been exceptionally strong, making it a daunting venue for visiting teams.

On their travels, the team's performances have arguably been superior.

From the start of his reign, only a handful of elite clubs have collected more away points than Palace.

The manager did not hesitate to express his disappointment with the club's transfer strategy after a key player was sold.

His team has lost all league matches played after midweek European fixtures this season, highlighting issues with squad depth and schedule management.

Glasner pointedly stated the club had "squandered" the opportunity for an even better season by not spending. A pundit noted: "He is forthright in his criticism after poor results... The board likely has to tolerate it given his monumental status at the club."

'Squad Not Big Enough' to Handle the Demands

It is evident that Glasner is a manager with significant ambition.

It also seems apparent that he believes a lack of squad depth is restricting progress, and his comments may be intended to prompt activity in the January transfer window.

The impending end of his deal means the club must swiftly demonstrate a shared ambition to keep this project on track.

A former professional goalkeeper commented: "His contractual status is a key issue... Securing his signature is paramount given the phenomenal work he has done. His reaction to a defeat showed he feels unsupported. The board's actions in the near future will be crucial."

Guehi's contract also concludes this summer, and interest from top clubs in the England defender is expected to grow.

Creative midfielder Adam Wharton is also the subject of considerable demand from several clubs.

Meanwhile, other key players like Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta will undoubtedly aspire to play in the Champions League.

"Insufficient depth prevents rotation and adds pressure in the league. A top-six finish, while amazing, is a fiercely contested target," the pundit added.

This Palace squad may be in its golden age, but it also stands on the precipice of potential breakup, with the risk that a stellar campaign could be undermined.