Alan Pardew opens contract talks with Palace but new deal long way off

Palace manager Pardew still has two-and-a-half years to run on his current Selhurst Park deal, and believes a new agreement remains "a long way off".

Americans John Harris and David Blitzer's multi-million pound investment has bolstered Palace's top-flight clout, and Pardew believes the deal represents a potential springboard for European qualification.

"There has been some discussion but the bottom line is we're in a great place," said Pardew when quizzed over a potential new contract.

"But personally a new deal's a long way off I think.

"And it's very difficult not to change the dynamics of a club running very, very well when new owners come in.

"And I think David (Blitzer) and Josh (Harris) are keen for it to progress as it has been progressing.

"(Chairman) Steve Parish has tried to put foundations for the club to go forward.

"We could become a bigger club, because we're in London.

"That gives us a massive advantage.

"No disrespect to the rest of the country, it just does, location-wise for international players and access to their families.

"So we've got an opportunity that we're going to try to grasp."

Palace can record 12 away wins in the calendar year with victory over Bournemouth at Dean Court on Boxing Day, with Pardew now admitting the club can fight for European football.

Former Palace midfielder Pardew admitted have punched above their weight so far this term - but backed the Eagles to continue in the same vein into 2016.

"For me sitting here as the manager, nine wins speaks for itself," said Pardew, of Palace's Premier League form this season.

"That's the big target we've hit this year.

"There's only three or four other clubs have done that.

"It's a great achievement, a great set of players all very, very focused on now trying to do for the second part of the season what we've done all calendar year.

"And if we do that then we're going to find ourselves in Europe.

"Because this club never has reached Europe.

"We did when I was a player here, but unfortunately there was an international ban so we couldn't play.

"So that would be significant for the club, in this era it will be a fantastic achievement.

"It's a long, long way to go, but I'm buoyed by the fact that it's not just the first half of this season

We did it at the back-end of last season too.

"So for a 35-game period we've been very strong.

"We are over-achieving for sure and we have done for a large part of this year.

"I really hope we can over-achieve for another four or five months because it will end as a great season.

"I couldn't be prouder of the playing staff here; they never give in, we have been at it every game."

While Harris and Blitzer's investment will offer significant boosts to Palace's infrastructure, Pardew paid tribute to chairman Parish for overseeing the club's steady rise.

"For them (Harris and Blitzer) it was crucial to keep him," said Pardew of Parish.

"To have brought this club out of administration to where we are today that's not down to any single manager, that's down to Steve and he can drink his Christmas wine with great cheer.

"That's why the extra investment is important to him as he knows to make the next step we need more financial muscle."

Source : PA

Source: PA