Let’s face it before Alan Pardew took over, it was grim being a Crystal Palace fan.
Under Neil Warnock we had one win in twelve games – the atmosphere disappeared from Selhurst, it was taking its effect on the players.
Now it seems the good times have returned. Pardew has bought that fresh optimism, that injection of belief, and after that Burnley result the realisation that Premier League safety is once again a realistic possibility.
We have had some fantastic days being Palace fans over the years. Nobody will forget the 1990 FA Cup run, with Wright and Bright causing all manner of damage.
Iain Dowie led Palace to promotion in 2004 with Andrew Johnson and his magic hat firing in the goals.
But I suppose the most recent feeling of ecstasy was the promotion under Ian Holloway at Wembley in 2013. Going through the play-offs is a nerve-wracking process. But defeating your bitter rivals along the way… nothing beats it. Mind the gap lads!
Looking back at our season we have not had too much to shout about. The two victories over the Merseyside clubs were probably our highlight until Pardew arrived. The victory at Everton was a terrific display and set Warnock on the right foot, but we all know how it ended, we won’t go there.
But arguably our best performance of the season was at home to Liverpool. Brendan Rodger’s men always have a tough time coming to Selhurst.
Last season we all but ended their chances of winning their first league title in 24 years. This year we condemned them to another defeat, Yannick Bolasie once again caused havoc, and a sublime Mile Jedinak free kick secured the three points.
But the good times are back, we have had as many ‘good times’ in the last three weeks as we have had in the whole season.
Pardew’s return alone was one of the best, a fan favourite coming back to a place where he is regarded highly, but it did not stop there.
We have been on a three game unbeaten run, and the comeback win against Burnley was the first time Palace has come back from two goals in our Premier League history. Happy days!
The standout moment this season has to be Pardew‘s first game under the lights at Selhurst, for those who were at the ground the atmosphere was unreal. That was the first time Selhurst was well and truly bouncing after the upheaval in the previous months.
Tottenham came. Palace conquered. The scenes after Jason Puncheon’s winning goal, well it was carnage. It meant a lot too many people.
It feels very much like when Tony Pulis took the helm midway through last season. A belief factor surged through the supporters when that announcement was made.
But with Pardew’s announcement, something was different. The feeling was more of sentiment, a genuine love of what the guy done for Palace during his playing days.
That feel-good feeling is back, we cannot kid ourselves it will not always be plain-sailing until the end of the season.
Pardew has said it himself there are harder days to come; we are not out of the woods yet. We have to stick by the manager and the team and make sure Selhurst is a vibrant, bouncing place as Palace look to survive in the Premier League.
