Steve Parish wants Crystal Palace to be “in touch” with Premier League survival come the new year.
The Eagles lifted themselves off the foot of the table last night thanks to Marouane Chamakh’s winner over fellow strugglers West Ham United.
They face another six pointer at Selhurst Park this weekend when Cardiff City pay a visit to south east London.
But Tony Pulis’s men then face a quartet of tough assignments at Chelsea (December 14), at home to Newcastle United (December 21), at Aston Villa (Boxing Day) and at Manchester City on New Year’s Eve.
However, the co-chairman is confident the new manager can turn the club’s fortunes around – especially after they dented the Hammers.
“It would be good to at least be in touch with the rest of the Premier League come the new year,” he said.
“It is notoriously difficult for promoted teams to survive, but I feel we have the right man in to help us do that, and he has the time to achieve that aim.
“If we can hang in there over Christmas then that would be excellent. Look at Southampton, this time last year they were in a terrible position, but now they are flying and there is no reason why we cannot do the same.”
He added: “Not only do we have the manager, but the players are right behind it too, and as you saw against West Ham, the fans are superb.
“We need to make Selhurst Park a place opponents don’t like to visit, and we’re in the process of doing that.”
The anatomy of a goal............
Oh, happy days....
Welcome home: Tony Pulis was given a warm welcome in his first game in charge at Selhurst Park
Battle: Barry Bannan - a relevation on the right - puts the boot in against Razvan Rat
Probably a foul: Joey O'Brien decides to head Jason Puncheon's foot
Chase me: Most of the Hammers try to close down goal-scorer Marouane Chamakh
Cheerio: James Tomkins gets there first but Chamakh gets clear
Clash of the titans: Carlton Cole is bowled over by Danny Gabbidon
Another Cole defeat: Mile Jedinak gets the better of the West Ham striker
Hey, you: Tony Pulis shows his passion on the touchline
Going nowhere: Mile Jedinak tussles with England U21 striker Ravel Morrison
In: Cameron Jerome missed a gilt-edged one-on-one that would have made it 2-0
Clear: Jedinak fires a pass
Close: KG sends another Palace chance over the West Ham bar
Concentration: Cameron Jerome lays off a little pass to someone else
Brothers in arms: Keith Millen and Tony Pulis point the way to survival
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel