Adam Wharton admits it has been “difficult” to adjust mid-season to the step-up in training intensity since Oliver Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson as Crystal Palace manager.
Hodgson, 76, resigned in February after a health scare and with Palace having won just three of their last 19 games.
Former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Glasner has since led the Eagles to 14th in the table with victories over Burnley and Liverpool in his first seven matches in charge. They host West Ham on Sunday.
“[We’re progressing] massively”, said Wharton. “It’s obviously difficult when a gaffer comes in in the middle of the season to try and implement his tactics, which are completely different from what we had with Roy Hodgson.
“It’s all a different way, so you’ve got to get used to it as quickly as you can and when the games are coming thick and fast it’s sometimes difficult.
“But we’re playing well. He’s only been in a couple of months. We’re still not there yet.”
Wharton praised Glasner’s mindset, adding: “You’ve got to go into a game thinking you’re going to win, otherwise there’s no point turning up. It’s massive when the manager is that confident — that rubs off onto the players, the staff, and everyone has got that belief before the game that we can go out there and get a result against any team.”
Wharton has made an excellent start to life at Palace since his £22.5million January move from Blackburn.
The 19-year-old said an 11th-hour inclusion in England’s Euro 2024 squad would be a “bonus” to his impressive form but is not his main focus.
“I don't really think too much about that”, he admitted. “My focus, especially at the moment, is all on Crystal Palace. There's no international break until after the season. So, the next six weeks, whatever it is, I'm all Crystal Palace.
“Any international recognition or anything like that, that's just the bonus. It's not really in my mind at the minute. I'm just trying play as best I can and help the team.”
