For the first time in 24 years, Alan Pardew will be involved in a Crystal Palace side with a visit to Crabble Stadium.
The manager who was born in Wimbledon, took his first training session this morning (Saturday) after it was announced that he had firstly left Newcastle and joined the Eagles on a three-and-a-half year deal; this comes a day after he started preparing his office whilst talking to both his coaching side that include players he played with during his era at the club and also the current bunch of players he has to work with.
Pardew praised the squad, admiring their determination and mind-set in an interview for Crystal Palace with Chris Grierson, a competition winner in the search for Palace TV’s next presenter. He said: “It’s a little bit sticky at the moment and we need to find a way out of that.
“The players have got great attitudes here, I’ve been very impressed. Can I help change that energy into more tangible results? That might take a transfer, it might take a change of style a little bit and that’s what hopefully a manager of my experience can do.”
The FA Cup game against Dover will be the 53-year-old’s first game in-charge and will see the former Newcastle manager explore the depth of the squad at his disposal with a number of players previously on loan at clubs in lower divisions have returned from their spell; the list of players include Glenn Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Jack Hunt and Stuart O’Keefe.
It will also be a chance for Pardew and his coaching team to decide which players to put in place of Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie who are both away on international duty for at least the remainder of the month in the Asia Cup and African Cup of Nations respectively, leaving a place in the centre of midfield and on the wing.
Tie Background
This is Crystal Palace’s first fixture in the FA Cup this season, entering the competition with the other 43 Premier League and Championship clubs; the Eagles have been knocked out of this round last season at the hands of Wigan where Tony Pulis’ side lost 2-1.
Dover have already played two different oppositions in this tournament so far this season as they are currently playing in the conference. Their first round fixture was against Eastbourne of which they had to play over two games after a 0-0 draw away from home in the first leg before securing a marginal 1-0 victory at the Crabble Stadium; their second round fixture in Novemeber was another 1-0 victory for the Whites this time at the expense of visitors Morecambe.
Last Time Out: Dover Athletic 2 – 3 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace last met Dover in 2008 during their pre-season friendlies ahead of a season in the Championship that seen the Eagles finish in 15th place; a season when most noticeably Southampton and Norwich City were relegated from the division.
It was an XI side that faced Dover on the day with the most noticeable names among the players that featured being Kieran Dilijali and Jon Ertle but neither of the two got onto the score sheet as it was Simon Thomas who is now playing for Isthmian League side Canvey Island that scored all three goals for Palace on the day alongside two Dover goals late-on that were scored by Jon Wallis and Sammy Moore.
What Are The Stats, Stats Man?
– The game against Dover is Crystal Palace’s first FA Cup game against a non-league side since 1981/82 when the Eagles won 3-2 against Enfield.
– Today’s fixture is only Dover’s second third round game in the FA Cup with their only previous appearance in this round coming against Huddersfield Town in 2011.
– Visitors Palace have drawn four of their last five games away from home with the only defeat being at the Ethiad against Manchester City when Warnock’s side lost 3-0.
– Dover are unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions with their last defeat coming against Folkestone in the Kent Senior Cup on 4th November.
– Pardew’s have kept two clean sheets in their last two away games but also scoring none in the process.
– The Whites have not conceded a goal in their four FA Cup games this season whilst scoring two.
