Two phenomenons happened to Crystal Palace at the weekend, first they appointed a new manager, then they won a game in the Premier League, and an away one at that! Both events went against the form book, after the club's long search for a coach and a win began to take on a frenzied approach. The Eagles conducted one of the longest managerial hunts in history, with previous incumbent Ian Holloway resigning over a month ago in a move that displayed levels of altruism rarely seen in the top flight. Managers usually stick it out until the club decides they can go no further, but for the good of the club, Holloway resigned from his post in the hope that a manager could come in and save them from relegation. The trouble was, no one wanted the job, with the position at Selhurst Park seemingly tainted with the fact that they were a club that have little or no money to spend and had reshaped the squad entirely over the summer. A massive 16 players were recruited in the summer transfer window, more than Sunderland, who have been lambasted in the media for former manager Paolo Di Canio's activity in the market, leaving Palace little or no time to gel as a team. Managers were linked with the job left, right and centre, with Dan Petrescu and Jose Mourinho's former assistant Aitor Karanka thought to be close to agreeing a deal with the club before Pulis' arrival. The problem in all but one of these chases was simple, no one wanted the job of turning round a club that seemed destined for a swift return to the Championship following a disastrous start to the season. Karanka went even further than that, eventually becoming Middlesbrough boss in an attempt to promote the north east side rather than keep a struggling one in the top flight. Eventually though, Palace found a willing boss, and it only took them a month, but have they chosen the right one? The south east London club have not had much to shout about this season, with a record of seven straight defeats followed by a 0-0 draw prior to their victory at the weekend over Steve Bruce's Hull City. Their form this season has led to them stay rooted to the bottom of the table, from which they only managed to move off on Saturday thanks to their 1-0 triumph at the KC Stadium. This result was made even better by the fact that the Eagles went a man down just minutes before they scored, with midfielder Yannick Bolasie sent off for a foul on Jake Livermore. However, it is this sort of fight that can do the club good in the coming months, and in Pulis they now have a manager to exploit those aggressive tendencies. The Welshman became famed at previous club Stoke City for his solid defence and ability to exploit the weaknesses of his opposition. Although he has not won many fans for his somewhat direct style of play, it cannot be denied that to begin with at least it worked a treat. The Britannia Stadium became a fortress with its passionate support and hostile fans providing a stiff test for any visiting side. The club became renowned for the advantage it gained at set pieces thanks to a combination of long throws and perfect deliveries, allowing the bulky strike force to contest a ball in the air. 55-year-old Pulis has been lambasted for his time at the Potters, with many hipster football fans turning their 'high pressing game obsessed' noses up at any mention of Pulis' tactics. Whilst this was undoubtedly hideously unfair criticism thrown in the direction of the Britannia Stadium, you can see where they are coming from, with Pulis employing a plan that went completely against the way modern English football is going. However, football does not depend on aesthetics, and Pulis managed to drag his Stoke side from promotion in 2008, to Europa League qualification in 2011 after they finished the previous seasons runners up in the FA Cup Final. Despite his many critics, Pulis stuck to what he knew and consistently knocked on the door of the top 10 in his time in the Potteries, providing a much needed level of consistency to a side with no Premier League experience. Whilst his old side headed in the direction of many Premier League clubs in appointing a (slightly) younger coach, who has a philosophy more suited to the modern English game, his new team did quite the reverse. Ian Holloway's time in the Premier League has been limited but highly entertaining, with his time at Blackpool a sea of attacking football with little or no care for what happens in defence. In his signings over the summer he tried to implement a similar tactical structure to his time at Selhurst Park, but the defensive problems resurfaced and by the time he left the club, they had conceded 17 goals in eight Premier League games. They conceded at least once in every game he took charge of this season, and whilst his attacking brand of football is to be admired and has won many fans, it obviously didn't work. In contrast, in Pulis' last full season with Stoke, the only teams to concede more than them all finished in the top seven as opposed to Stoke's 13th place finish. The Palace defence has only kept one clean sheet this season, with a commendable 0-0 draw at home to Everton under the guidance of caretaker manager Keith Millen, and this is set to be added to following Pulis' arrival. The Palace hierarchy seemed intent on a complete change at Selhurst Park, and there is sure to be one under Pulis, with many suggesting that he will raid his former club in a bid to keep the struggling Premier League side in the top flight. One player could immediately become vital to Pulis in the short term at least, with Marouane Chamakh still needing to prove himself to the Premier League audience. The Moroccan striker's height and ability in the air was what made Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger complete the move for him in the first place, but upon arrival it was apparent that the Gunners were not going to utilise this strength, and during the course of his time at the Emirates his influence on matches waned horribly. If there is anyone who can exploit the strengths of his side it is Pulis, and Chamakh will no doubt be used in the role that he was supposed to fulfil, and allow Palace from the very start to have a means to an end in having a tall striker. With just one goal so far this season, Chamakh has a lot to do to prove his worth to the relegation battlers, and Pulis could be just the man to unlock his potential. The fact that Pulis has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club signals their intent to stick with him, despite many fans offering scepticism in believing that the appointment of the former Gillingham boss is anything other than a short term solution. In the short term the club probably couldn't have done better, but whether he is the long term solution to a club with struggling finances remains to be seen. In his time at Stoke, very few players came through the youth system, and with Palace's long tradition of profiting from their promising youngsters, this seems to have been put on hold for a while. Their recent victory at Hull could just be the kick start they need, and Pulis will be severely tested in their next three games against fellow strugglers Norwich City, West Ham and Cardiff City. These games could even become vital to their entire season, and they need to pick up points from them if they are to make survival a reality. Pulis may not be the fans choice, but they will surely give him a pat on the back when he saves them from the drop this season and gives them much needed stability before they can kick on in the league. Still Palace fans, it could have been so much worse, there was talk of Iain Dowie returning... Tell us what you think, can Pulis save Palace from the drop this season?
Began writing about football aged 16, I've previously worked for Goal and I'm currently writing for Inside Spanish Football. Specialise in anything linked, connected with or involving football!
