Palace No Longer A 'Given'? I Think They Still Are!

Last updated : 26 November 2013 By Tott Dixon - Seaham

Tony Pulis is ready for the challenge of keeping Crystal Palace in the Premier League, but insists he is not just a "firefighter".

The 55-year-old was on Monday unveiled as the Eagles' new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal, replacing Ian Holloway who resigned from the job a month ago.

With Palace in the bottom three of the table, chairman Steve Parish has turned to Pulis in a bid to try and stay up.

No matter about the appointment, it hasn't swayed the bookies in any way, Palace are STILL favourites for the drop.

And there are two major questions: 1) Is Pulis a better manager than Gus Poyet; 2) Have Palace a stronger squad?

And it's NO to both!

The Welshman won promotion with Stoke and kept them in the top flight for four seasons before leaving his post in May, and has a reputation for producing hard-to-beat sides.

Tony Pulis: "What people don't talk about is I've been promoted out of every division and been to the final of an FA Cup.

"People talk about me being a firefighter, but I have also been very successful. It annoys me that in this country you get pigeon-holed for certain things.

"Everyone talks about not being relegated, but as a manager I have got a few promotions.

"It's a club in the Premiership, a smashing club with great history. It's going to be a tough job and I have not come in with any illusions.

"This club has had a remarkable few years and the board of directors and chairman have to be applauded for looking after the club and pushing it on.

"This is an opportunity to try and achieve something Palace have not achieved; get in the Premiership and stay there and take the club forward."

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

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Saturday November 30
15:00 Aston Villa v Sunderland
15:00 Cardiff City v Arsenal
15:00 Everton v Stoke City
15:00 Norwich City v Crystal Palace
15:00 West Ham United v Fulham
17:30 Newcastle United v West Brom

Sunday December 1
12:00 Tottenham v Man Utd
14:05 Hull City v Liverpool
16:10 Chelsea v Southampton
16:10 Manchester City v Swansea City

Tuesday December 3
20:00 Crystal Palace v West Ham United

Wednesday December 4
19:45 Arsenal v Hull City
19:45 Liverpool v Norwich City
19:45 Man Utd v Everton
19:45 Southampton v Aston Villa
19:45 Stoke City v Cardiff City
19:45 Sunderland v Chelsea
19:45 Swansea City v Newcastle United
20:00 Fulham v Tottenham
20:00 West Brom v Manchester City

Sunderland Fixtures

Saturday November 30
15:00 Premier League Aston Villa v Sunderland
Wednesday December 4
19:45 Premier League Sunderland v Chelsea
Saturday December 7
17:30 Premier League Sunderland v Tottenham
Saturday December 14
15:00 Premier League West Ham United v Sunderland
Tuesday December 17
19:45 League Cup - Qtr Sunderland v Chelsea
Saturday December 21
15:00 Premier League Sunderland v Norwich City
Thursday December 26
15:00 Premier League Everton v Sunderland
Saturday December 28
17:30 Premier League Cardiff City v Sunderland