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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.

Accumulating 26 points from 15 games is a club record for this point in a Premier League campaign, establishing them as serious candidates for Champions League football.

Eddie Nketiah, who scored the opener at Craven Cottage on his 50th club appearance, stated that "the sky is the limit" if the team maintains this excellent form, while manager Oliver Glasner was effusive in his praise.

"The pride I feel comes from a colossal collective effort from the entire team," stated the manager. "That is the foundation of our current position.

However, this acclaim arrives just one week after Glasner publicly criticized the club for insufficient summer investment following a 2-1 home loss to Manchester United.

The manager's deal is up in June, and the potential departures of vital figures such as Guehi and Wharton create a backdrop of apprehension.

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

'Greatest Manager in Palace History'

Oliver Glasner took charge at Palace in February 2024, building on successful tenures at Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.

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

That cup win led to a debut in European competition—albeit in the Europa Conference League due to regulations—and was followed by a Community Shield victory over champions Liverpool.

A prominent pundit remarked: "We are witnessing the finest manager and the best team in Crystal Palace's history. The transformation since his arrival has surpassed all fan expectations."

The home ground had been an impenetrable stronghold this league season until a recent loss ended that run.

When playing away from home, their record is perhaps even more noteworthy.

Since Glasner's first match in March 2024, only Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City have accrued more Premier League points on the road than Crystal Palace.

Yet, the loss to Manchester United prompted Glasner to voice his frustration, suggesting the club-record funds from a summer sale were not reinvested to strengthen the squad.

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: "When he gets a result he doesn't like, he is not shy in being outspoken... They probably have to accept it because he is the greatest manager in their history."

'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.

With Glasner's contract set to expire in June, the club's ambitions must quickly align with the manager's if the current success is to be prolonged.

A former professional goalkeeper commented: "There's a major discussion around Glasner's contract... If you're a director you're trying to tie him down. The job he's done is phenomenal. His reaction to a defeat showed he feels unsupported. The board's actions in the near future will be crucial."

Guehi is another player out of contract soon, and speculation linking him with elite clubs will only intensify.

The talented Adam Wharton is attracting significant attention from numerous suitors.

Stars such as Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta will have their own ambitions of reaching 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.

The team is simultaneously at its historic peak and on the verge of dispersal, which could jeopardize an otherwise spectacular year.