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After completing a minor miracle to keep Crystal Palace up last season, manager Tony Pulis seeks to re-create his Stoke success.
If the man in the baseball cap was ever going to get relegated, surely it would have been last season? Palace was doomed in November when he took over, but remarkably, led them to relative comfort in mid-table.
It is the first time the Eagles have survived in the Premier League, so now it is time to consolidate, and Pulis is the perfect man to do the job. His task will be similar to that which he achieved at Stoke – establishing Palace as a Premier League club.
So far, Chairman Steve Parish has spent much of the Premier League revenue on improving the infrastructure of the club, something which is crucial for sustained success. There also seems to be a willingness to spend to bring in players, despite being yet to really do so.
They were linked with the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Steven Caulker, but both chose to go elsewhere. Attracting these types of players appears to be the next step for the club.
They managed to retain striker Marouane Chamakh and keeper Julian Speroni, both key members of the squad last campaign. However, more additions are required, notably a left-back, after Dean Moxey and Jonathan Parr both departed the club.
Selhurst Park became the division’s loudest ground, with Palace fans experiencing some fantastic memories, notably victory over Chelsea and that staggering comeback against Liverpool.
They would love to see more goals next season, with Pulis adding Fraizer Campbell, to compete with Chamakh, Dwight Gayle and Glenn Murray.
There is a theory that the South Londoners could suffer from second-season syndrome, but with the demanding Pulis in charge, they should do enough to avoid the bottom three.
In
Chris Kettings (Blackpool) Free.
Fraizer Campbell (Cardiff) £800,000.
Brede Hangeland (Fulham) Free.
Out
Neil Alexander- Released.
Kagisho Dikgacoi (Cardiff City) Free.
Daniel Gabbidon- Released.
Dean Moxey- Released.
Jonathan Parr (Ipswich Town) Free.
Aaron Wilbraham- Released.
Jose Campana (Sampdoria) £1.4m.
Jack Hunt (Nottingham Forest) Loan.
Marquee signing: Fraizer Campbell
26 year-old Fraizer Campbell was signed from Cardiff to boost the striking options for Palace, and replace Cameron Jerome, who returns to Stoke. He is the perfect player to work under Tony Pulis, a harder worker you’ll be unlikely to find, tracking back defensively and constantly pressing and harassing defences.
He did, however, only score six goals in the Premier League for Cardiff, a team that also struggled for goals. Campbell should work well in tandem with Chamakh, who prefers to come to get the ball and act as a target man, whereas Campbell is effective in the box. His goals could prove critical.
Key man: Mile Jedinak
The captain in the middle of the park, Australia’s own Mile Jedinak is the heart and soul of Crystal Palace. It has been a remarkable rise for the man who initially struggled in the A-League. A tenacious defensive midfielder, Jedinak is tireless in protecting the back four and epitomises everything that Pulis is about. He averaged 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game last term, emphasising his determination.
Despite rarely venturing into the final third, the 30 year-old, possesses an underrated shot, as well as killer ball. He has set a high standard at Selhurst Park, but his consistency over the past couple seasons has been excellent, and expect that to continue.
It’s a big year for: Glenn Murray
A Palace icon, the 30 year-old Murray missed the majority of last season due to a knee injury suffered at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, in which he excelled, scoring 31 goals. The Selhurst Park faithful will be desperate to see Murray to return to his best, and will be heartened by his five goals so far in pre-season.
However, there are many players whom he must compete with for a spot in the side. Campbell, Chamakh and Gayle are all probably ahead of him in the pecking order as it stands. There is a lot of work ahead for the fan favourite.
Manager pressure: 2/10
Many were sceptical when Tony Pulis took the Palace hot-seat, mainly due to the style of football he is associated with. However, for Pulis, the results do the talking. While I’m sure Eagles fans would love to see more goals and attacking football, it is the scoreline which matters most at this stage.
It really was a remarkable achievement keeping Palace up, and as such, the pressure is largely off the man who wears the club shop.
Headline that Palace fans want to see: ‘Exciting football sees Palace comfortable in top half.’
Headline that Palace fans don’t want to see: ‘Pulis loses magic touch.’
Headline that Palace fans will see: ‘Speroni steals the points.’
Prediction: 15th.
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