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Should Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace focus on the FA Cup for these reasons?
3 – Prestige
FA Cup glory would put any discussion on South London’s greatest to bed. Millwall and Brighton have never achieved the feat and Charlton haven’t done it since 1948. Bragging rights matter and Pardew should keep them in mind.
4 – Winning breeds winning
If you are not striving for self-improvement, you’re destined for nothing short of mediocrity. Last year was one of the club’s greatest seasons as was the year before. Palace have finished mid-table for two consecutive seasons and are likely to do so for a third. By no means should supporters be unnerved by the trend however, with three comfortable results in the league, the club have a foundation to strive for more.
Pardew and Parish have been adamant about their ambitions and hopes for bigger and better things. In an episode of Premier League Download, Pardew talked of Palace competing in Europe and maybe even challengin for the league one day. While that may currently still be a little outlandish, there’s no harm in dreaming and trying. FA Cup glory could be a catalyst for further success in seasons to come.
5 – The ability to attract players
The difference in name recognition of some of the Eagles’ current players in comparison to the squad from four years ago is stark. From Aaron Wilbraham; former MK Dons and Norwich front-man, to Emmanuel Adebayor; former Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Manchester City striker, and from Stuart O’Keefe; the affectionately dubbed “English Iniesta”, to Yohan Cabaye, former PSG maestro.
Players such as Wilbraham and O’Keefe hold a special place in every Palace fan’s heart for their efforts despite never being particularly good. If the club really want to advance from here and continue to improve, they’re going to need better players. In order to attract the top stars, a team has to offer promise. Establishing itself as a Premier League mainstay, Crystal Palace will take their appeal to a new level should they acquire an FA Cup and European football for next season.
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