Football
9y

Alan Pardew hoping for Crystal Palace to go on lengthy FA Cup run

Alan Pardew believes an extended FA Cup run can breed a "winning mentality" to aid Crystal Palace in their Premier League relegation battle.

New boss Pardew took charge of Palace for the first time after leaving Newcastle in Sunday's 4-0 FA Cup third-round victory away at Conference side Dover.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley refused to view cup progress as a priority during Pardew's four years on Tyneside, but the former Eagles midfielder is now keen for Palace to fight on all fronts.

Pardew postponed talk of his Newcastle exit "for another day" in the wake of Palace's win, which saw Scott Dan head a brace and Dwight Gayle and Kevin Doyle also find the net.

"I said to the players that an FA Cup run gives confidence and it breeds a winning mentality,'' Pardew told reporters. "And it was important that we won the game.

"So we're in the hat and, like in any cup competition, if you're in it, you can win it.''

Pardew attempted to keep quiet on all matters Newcastle after just 48 hours at Selhurst Park, but he did hint he would address his Magpies departure ahead of Palace's Premier League clash with Tottenham on Jan. 10.

He pledged to "put the ball at risk'' and "have a go'' as he bids to guide Palace out of the relegation zone, believing positive, attacking football will be vital to their chances of avoiding the drop.

"I'm going to promise the fans two things -- one that we're going to put the ball at risk and two that we're going to have a go,'' Pardew added. "I'm fortunate that they already have a special bond with me anyway, through my playing days here.

"But I've been on the other side of that support and that noise that they generate at Crystal Palace. Hopefully that will keep them in that frame of mind that they are at the moment until the end of the year, because we won't go up, or stay up, without them.

"I really did change my formation today, really and truly to say to the team, that we need to put the ball at risk. I was trying to get the message to the team that we need to have a bit more attacking oomph, so to speak.

"We are not going to stay in the Premier League unless we express ourselves. Although Scott [Dann] will get the headlines for the two headed goals, actually he should get the headlines for his distribution from the back, which was excellent today.''

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