In his most recent interview, Alan Pardew discussed his terms for signing a new deal with Crystal Palace.
With Crystal Palace frighteningly sitting in the sixteenth position in the Premier League, manager Alan Pardew claims that he will not accept a new deal with the Eagles unless he is able to keep the London club in the top flight.
Crystal Palace currently sits eight points above seventeenth and eighteenth place Sunderland and Norwich City, however, both clubs do have a game in hand on Palace. With only three games remaining in the season for the Eagles, they’ll have to make every match count to avoid a relegation scare.
When asked about signing a new deal following the season, Pardew answer saying:
No, I’m not ready to sign yet becasue the decision I made was that I wouldn’t sign it until we’re mathematically safe.
Although the idea of relegation sounds utterly unimaginable for Palace at this point, the English manager hopes to stick to his word. He continued:
We have to keep our focus and ensure the team is ready for three important league games.
We need to get the oints, and then we can enjoy the cup final.
Pardew went on to praise his side for reaching the FA Cup final against Manchester United, comparing them to his 1990 Crystal Palace side, who went all the way to the FA Cup final, eventually losing to United 1-0. He said:
This is a different team, with a different spirit, but the characteristics are similar to 1990. They are hard-working, diligent, with good defenders and some pace on the attack.
I just hope the destiny isn’t the same result in the final.
The Palace manager went on to discuss his eagerness to lead his team at Wembley against Louis van Gaal’s side. Pardew is quoted:
We had some fun with all the preparations in 1990 and I am sure a song could be part of the plan for the lads but not sure what theme it would take. It might have a bit of rapping section in there. Or house, whatever they do now. I’m so out of touch. The guys can enjoy that build-up.
Pardew is eager to turn Palace’s season around after a terrible 2016. His determination not to sign a new contract with the club until safety should make Palace fans excited to see such passion from their skipper.
A win against United could help ease the pain of their wasted season, however, Pardew shouldn’t worry about relegation. At this point in the season, Crystal Palace would have to have a catastrophic meltdown in order to be relegated.
