Alan Pardew expects top clubs to hit back after season of upsets
Sunday 3 January 2016 01:36, UK
Alan Pardew expects the top clubs to respond to what has been an "astonishing" season of upsets.
Crystal Palace host Chelsea on Super Sunday with Pardew's side knowing a win would lift them to fifth in the table while consigning their opponents to their 10th league loss of the campaign.
Indeed, defeat would leave Chelsea just three points above the relegation zone in 16th and Pardew says the Premier League champions will not accept their current situation.
"It's a season that's thrown up a few surprises, but the top clubs will react," the Eagles boss said, when asked about Chelsea and stuttering Manchester United.
"Don't think those two clubs are just going to say 'OK' and roll over. We will drive them to get better.
"At the moment the top clubs, apart from Arsenal, who have come through the process and are on an even keel, are searching on how to deal with the up-and-coming stars while running a Champions League campaign. It is proving very difficult for them."
Pardew believes clubs like Palace are better equipped to compete in the Premier League because of their smart transfer business and the 25-man squad limit.
He said: "Suddenly the opportunity has come to get past them and, because we have been able to go out and buy better players, we can compete.
"It hasn't totally happened yet, but the opportunity is there. We have definitely upped our game.
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"The 25-man squad rule has helped us because when I look at say Chelsea and you see Falcao, they no longer have that squad of 30-35 anymore enabling them to carry players.
"They have to rely on young players and that has made a bigger impact than we all thought.
"It's been an astonishing year and probably in terms of the other clubs the Premier League has been shaken up a bit. It must give big clubs like Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday hope as well.
"They must be thinking, 'We can do a Crystal Palace or a Southampton or a Leicester'."
While Chelsea arrive at Selhurst Park sat dangerously close to the drop zone, Pardew insists there is "no chance" that the Blues will be relegated.
"For Chelsea, it is a freak year which I don't think is going to happen again," Pardew said. "I think they are going to find it hard to get into the top six, but they will push."
