Over the course of the last few weeks, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has resisted the urge to act on impulse.
Instead, his approach to, at least external uncertainty over head coach Oliver Glasner’s future, has been measured.
Parish’s path towards deciding, as of yet, not to bring forward the Austrian’s exit from Selhurst Park may yet prove one of the defining factors in what the club hope will be another historic season climax.
In many ways, the easiest decision for Parish was to sack Glasner, who has already disclosed he is leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Ahead of the club’s 1-0 win at Brighton on 12 February, the team had not won in 12 in all competitions.
Growing sections of the fanbase had turned on the Austrian, who had infamously aired his displeasure at the sanctioning of captain Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City before confirming his decision to leave this summer.
The win at the Amex Stadium provided brief respite, their 3-2 home loss to relegation threatened Burnley, having taken a two goal lead, just days later wasn’t well received by supporters.
By the end of the Uefa Conference League first-leg play-off draw against Zrinjski Mostar last week, travelling fans were calling for Glasner’s head.
Glasner continued to air his angst in public, calling on supporters to stay “humble” in the face of calls for his head – a soundbite that landed dreadfully with fans.
But Parish held his nerve when pressure to call time on Glasner’s reign at Selhurst Park was as strong as it had ever been.
The result: two consecutive wins over Wolves and Zrinjski Mostar to book their place in the Conference League last 16 and to move to within just three points of eighth in the Premier League.
Plight has been replaced with optimism. Indeed, Palace have now lost just one game in six.
Of course, the merits of keeping faith with Glasner will be fully judged at the end of the season.
But Parish’s decision to seek stability over upheaval at such a crucial stage of Palace’s season has shown early signs of paying off.
As a lifetime Palace supporter it is, perhaps, harder for Parish than other club owners to disregard emotion from decisions regarding the club.
But Parish’s apparent ability to compartmentalise shouldn’t be underestimated in Palace’s recent upturn.