Pulis wants one thing he won’t get at Palace – time
New Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis would prefer to spend a few more days working with his players than having to throw them straight back into the battle for Premier League survival against West Ham.
The Eagles went down at Norwich on Saturday in what was Pulis’ first match at the helm since his appointment before last weekend’s win at Hull.
The 55-year-old made a couple of changes to his opening starting 11, with Cameron Jerome coming in alongside Marouane Chamakh in attack, while Jason Puncheon replaced suspended midfielder Yannick Bolasie.
While there was little real chance in the short space of time for the former Stoke manager to stamp his mark on the side, it looked a positive move as the visitors produced a good response after falling behind to Gary Hooper’s goal on 30 minutes.
“I would have preferred to have had a break, for some more time to work with the players, but the games come thick and fast in December, so you have to get on with it,” said Pulis.
“I was pleased with the players at Norwich because they tried their best and, as a manager, that is all you can do.”
Norwich, meanwhile, will be hoping for some consistency on the back of what was a second win in three matches and one which lifted them up to 14th, easing the pressure on manager Chris Hughton ahead of the midweek trip to Liverpool.
“The game is all about confidence and we now go to Anfield on Wednesday night, and there are not too many tougher places,” said Hughton.
“It is certainly better going there on the back of a performance like this and also a clean sheet. We have been a bit stop-start, but that is how the league is and we need to keep that continuity going.”
NORWICH: Ruddy, Martin, Ryan Bennett, Bassong, Olsson, Hoolahan (Johnson 79), Howson, Fer, Redmond, Hooper (Whittaker 90), Elmander (Becchio 81).
CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni, Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Bannan (Jonathan Williams 73), Puncheon (Kebe 76), Chamakh (Gayle 80), Jerome.
Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
