Croydon Advertiser's Crystal Palace correspondent lifts the lid on the Eagles
Croydon Advertiser’s Crystal Palace correspondent Mark Ritson lifts the lid on Saturday’s opponents
Crystal Palace have made a fantastic start to the season, what are the secrets behind their success?
"Alan Pardew has certainly got them playing effective, attacking football, they’re a joy to watch. They’ve got a lot of pace and power going forward but also they look much more organised defensively. They’re just really, really good at the moment!
"Yohan Cabaye has settled back into life in the Premier League superbly, he dictates play. He’s playing deeper then he did at Newcastle but his quality is clear for all to see. Then you’ve got players like Yannick Bolasie and Wilfred Zaha on the wings who cause problems. Scott Dann at back is there best defender, he’s a real leader."
Alan Pardew has been suggested as a future England manager, do you think he has the right credentials?
"I think Palace fans are a bit worried about him being linked to the job, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with England next summer. If there is a vacancy, Pardew will definitely be in the frame. The Palace chairman Steve Parish said he’s not too worried about getting a call from the FA, but we’ll have to wait and see.
"Pardew definitely wants to be England manager at some point, I’m just not sure if he wants to do it right now."
Following this fantastic start, what are Palace’s realistic targets this season?
"They definitely want a cup run, in either the League Cup or the FA Cup. And in terms of the league, they want to better their 10th place finish. Pardew would love to finish in the top eight, maybe even top six at a push."
Crystal Palace have made a fantastic start to the season, what are the secrets behind their success?
"Alan Pardew has certainly got them playing effective, attacking football, they’re a joy to watch. They’ve got a lot of pace and power going forward but also they look much more organised defensively. They’re just really, really good at the moment!
"Yohan Cabaye has settled back into life in the Premier League superbly, he dictates play. He’s playing deeper then he did at Newcastle but his quality is clear for all to see. Then you’ve got players like Yannick Bolasie and Wilfred Zaha on the wings who cause problems. Scott Dann at back is there best defender, he’s a real leader."
Alan Pardew has been suggested as a future England manager, do you think he has the right credentials?
"I think Palace fans are a bit worried about him being linked to the job, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with England next summer. If there is a vacancy, Pardew will definitely be in the frame. The Palace chairman Steve Parish said he’s not too worried about getting a call from the FA, but we’ll have to wait and see.
"Pardew definitely wants to be England manager at some point, I’m just not sure if he wants to do it right now."
Following this fantastic start, what are Palace’s realistic targets this season?
"They definitely want a cup run, in either the League Cup or the FA Cup. And in terms of the league, they want to better their 10th place finish. Pardew would love to finish in the top eight, maybe even top six at a push."
How do you expect Palace to set up on Saturday?
"Both sides are full of confidence and attacking threat right now so I’m expecting goals. Palace will definitely attack, they’ll go for it. Bolasie and Zaha will be key while Cabaye will be pulling the strings. They’ll have to keep Dimitri Payet quiet, he’s a great player and I’m looking forward to seeing him play."
What have you made of West Ham so far this season?
"They’ve impressed me and surprised quite a few people this season with their away results. They look good, Slaven Bilic is a West Ham man and he’s started well. Again, Payet has been the standout player and West Ham did very well to get him this summer, he’s a Premier League star already. West Ham also have great options up front with Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho."
What is your prediction for Saturday’s score?
"I’m sure it’ll be end to end, as a Palace fan I’m slightly biased, so I’ll say Palace will sneak it 2-1. I can’t see it being a boring encounter, so it should be a great game."
"Both sides are full of confidence and attacking threat right now so I’m expecting goals. Palace will definitely attack, they’ll go for it. Bolasie and Zaha will be key while Cabaye will be pulling the strings. They’ll have to keep Dimitri Payet quiet, he’s a great player and I’m looking forward to seeing him play."
What have you made of West Ham so far this season?
"They’ve impressed me and surprised quite a few people this season with their away results. They look good, Slaven Bilic is a West Ham man and he’s started well. Again, Payet has been the standout player and West Ham did very well to get him this summer, he’s a Premier League star already. West Ham also have great options up front with Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho."
What is your prediction for Saturday’s score?
"I’m sure it’ll be end to end, as a Palace fan I’m slightly biased, so I’ll say Palace will sneak it 2-1. I can’t see it being a boring encounter, so it should be a great game."