The Athletic reporter Matt Woosnam has claimed that Michael Olise ‘has his chance to write his name in Palace history’ if he is able to help his side potentially beat two rivals in a week.
The 20 year old produced a dazzling display against rivals Millwall in the FA Cup last Saturday, gaining plenty of praise from plaudits.
The £8m summer signing from Reading, curled home a wonderful leveller and crossed for Jean-Philippe Mateta to head home Palace’s winner.
However a tougher challenge beckons now as main rivals Brighton stand in the way of Olise and his side, and the Athletic’s Crystal Palace reporter Matt Woosnam believes the midfielder could be the difference.
“It could be similar to the Millwall game, you have to manage those first 15 minutes and then you begin to look at your players who can make a difference, that could be Olise”
His form has given him an opportunity to nail down a spot in the starting line up, and a positive performance tonight could guarantee one.
“He will just be focusing on the opportunity of the game, trying to keep himself in the starting 11.”
“He won’t see it like this, but he’s got the chance to write his name in Palace history, conquering two rivals in a week. It’s a huge opportunity for Olise to come in the team more regularly, and will be looking to channel the energy of the crowd.”
With the prospect of sweeping aside not one, but two rivals in just six days, Woosnam has stated just how massive a win could be, especially with involvement from Olise.
“Olise won’t see it like this, but he’s got the chance to write his name in Crystal Palace history, conquering two rivals in a week. I’m not sure sinking two rivals in a week has ever happened, in the fans perspective that [helping beat Brighton] would make him a cult hero at the very least.”
Manager Patrick Viera has been the one taking the youngster under his wing, however Woosnam believes the impact the former Arsenal invincible has had is not as much as people would suspect.
“It certainly helps that they have a shared French background and its quite important to have that connection, but Viera’s not someone who will speak a lot. He won’t necessarily put his arm round you or shout at you, only when he needs to be. He’s strict and a disciplinarian but he doesn’t tend to tell his players too much before or after a game.”
The Palace reporter has noticed similarities between Olise and fan favourite Wilfred Zaha, who once too came through the ranks at the Eagles.
The Ivory Coast international who is currently away at AFCON, is one of the most talented players to come through their academy, and Olise will be hoping to follow suit.
“He was similar [Zaha] when he was young and coming through, he had Dougie Freeman to look after him. Like Zaha, its just about making sure he stays level headed but still letting them express themselves.”
The breakthrough of Olise is a bigger revelation for Palace fans than appears, coincided with great recruitment, the idea of the South London side purely relying on Zaha is beginning to diminish.
“There is often people giving statistics about games won without Zaha, or how we are affected without him when he’s not playing.”
“Because of recruitment, we don’t have to rely on Zaha anymore to win games”
