Alan Pardew praises Tony Pulis impact at Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes that everyone at Selhurst Park should be thankful for Tony Pulis's stint at the club last season.

Pulis took Palace away from the relegation zone to end the season in 11th position, and Pardew, who arrived at the club in January, believes that he and a number of his first-team squad wouldn't be at the club if it wasn't for the impact of the former Stoke City boss.

The 53-year-old told the club's official website: "He achieved fantastic results last season here. I wouldn't be here, and a lot of these players wouldn't be here, if he hadn't done that. We have to be thankful to him for that.

"He should also be thankful that we're in the position we're in and that the players and myself have got the team where it is because I think the reception could have been very different if we were in the relegation zone."

Palace could move into the top half of the Premier League table if they can defeat Pulis's West Bromwich Albion side on Saturday afternoon.