The view from Selhurst Park.
Ahead of Sunday's clash with Crystal Palace, I caught up with Jay from Crystal Palace blog The Eagles Beak to gain more of an insight on the opposition and to hear an opposing fans view on Watford FC.
Thoughts on last season? What sort of impact did Alan Pardew make when he took over the managerial reigns?
"Impressive. To improve on our finish the previous season was beyond what a lotof fans expected particularly after the start we had to the season. I say start, it was two days before when Pulis walked out. It was obvious Warnock was the stop gap but the effect Pardew had when he joined was immediate. The club was visibly lifted both on and off the pitch. He got the team playing with confidence, passing the ball and suddenly we were retaining the ball, which increased our possession statistics. While stats are all well and good, the results came too and to finish in the top ten was a real achievement. It could have been so very different."
What would you say has been key to Palace's success in the Premier League, since gaining promotion to the top-flight after beating Watford in the play-off final.
"One of the big things is a real team ethic. We carried a lot of that through from our promotion season and our first season back in the top flight included several players that got us there. Even now, our third consecutive season in the PL and we have the likes of Speroni, Delaney, Ward, Jedinak, Bolasie and Zaha still featuring. We have certainly not had it our own way especially when you consider Holloway, Pulis and Warnock have all been in charge in that time. However, each of them have played their own part in some way to what we are seeing now from Pardew's team."
How did the transfer window fare for Palace? Any major incomings or outgoings?
"We have learnt since that terrible summer transfer window after promotion. Bringing in the numbers we did after the play off final win was never going to work and we have only just got rid of some of those fringe players. The windows since we have done some tremendous business, not least this summer in signing Cabaye, Wickham, McCarthy and Sako. They are all very sensible signings that are first team players, which has only improved what we already had. Competition for places is the key and we are almost there in every position now."
All Watford fans were delighted that we managed to sign Adlene Guedioura from Palace, this time on a permanent deal. He's become a fans favourite at Vicarage Road for his all action performances and played a big part in our promotion. I'm intrigued to see what Palace fans thought of the Algerian and were they disappointed to see him leave Selhurst Park?
"Have to say he was a favourite at Palace but he never really got the chance. He was always a bit part player which is a real shame. Perhaps the right player at the wrong time, I think most clubs have seen that in players. Pardew called him a 'maverick' player which is the kind he likes but with our current midfield choices he was never going to feature unfortunately. We will certainly watch with interest as we have interacted with him plenty of times here at TEB and he is a likable character."
Thoughts on Watford? Do you think the Hornets can remain in the Premier League?
"Looking in from the outside, it was very hard to imagine how you could survive this season with all the upheaval. I mean, who gets promoted but lets their manager go? I am sure there is much more to it but now it looks to have worked out fine as you certainly do not look like a team out of place in the PL. Yes, promoted teams do often take a while to get found out by other more established sides but I have been impressed so far. I think you are in with chance of staying up, as we found last season there are a few sides in the PL that have been here a while and are perhaps due a drop out of the division."
One Watford player that you'd like to see in a Palace shirt?
"Prince Harry (Ben Watson) rolling back the years although I'm not sure he would get into our midfield when he was in his prime but we all recall him fondly playing for us. I think I would be silly not to choose Odion Ighalo
simply because he seems a natural goal scorer at this level and exciting with that too."
Key player for Palace on Sunday?
"The last two games have been completely different for us but in both of them we missed Connor Wickham's presence. The last two outings we have played without a natural striker up front and Wickham plays that role so well, holding the ball up for our talented midfielders to run on to. We have really missed that."
Score Prediction?
"Excuse the rose tinted spectacles but while I am expecting a tough game, I think we will run out 2-1 winners with Cabaye and Puncheon scoring. No doubt Watson or Pep will score for you as our former players always do!"
Thanks to Jay for answering the questions and good luck to Palace for the rest of the season!