Dougie Freedman believes Crystal Palace are on an upward curve again after celebrating a year in charge with a 1-0 win at Millwall.
Boss reflects on successful year after win at Millwall
Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman believes the club are on an upward curve again after celebrating a year in charge with a 1-0 win at Millwall.
Jermaine Easter grabbed the only goal of the game for the Eagles, nearly exactly a year after they had crashed to a 3-0 defeat on the same ground to fall to the bottom of the Championship.
Boss George Burley was sacked after that match on New Year's Day and replaced by Freedman, who has turned the club's fortunes around.
They head into the New Year well in the hunt for a play-off place and also have a Carling Cup semi-final against Cardiff to look forward to.
"If we look back a year ago we were in the bottom three, beaten very convincingly by Millwall and low on confidence," said Freedman.
"Fast-forward a year and these lads need a lot of pats on the back.
"We are a different team, a different club. The past year shows we are looking up, not down.
Same direction
"We are all working hard together, we are all greedy for success and all facing in the same direction, trying to be the best we can as a team and as individuals.
"Players like Paddy McCarthy and Darren Ambrose have been here since we were in administration so it means a lot to them to see the club on the up.
"It's the new beginnings of Crystal Palace and we will take it one step at a time and keep trying to get better."
A disappointed Lions boss Kenny Jacket revealed he may be busy in January after this latest defeat left the club just two places above the drop zone.
"I'm very disappointed with the result," said Jackett. "It was even up until the goal.
"I was disappointed with the goal, and from there we've had an embarrassing amount of the ball but did not have the quality to break them down.
"It may be down to a lack of confidence but you earn confidence.
"We need to improve, and the window is now open so we will see what our options are."
