New Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis knows it will be tough keeping the relegation threatened club in the Premier League. "It's a club in the Premiership, it's a great club. It's going to be a tough job and I've not come in with any illusions," the former Stoke boss said.
"But looking at what has happened in the few years at the football club the chairman needs to be applauded. How far they have come to be in the Premier League in a few years is remarkable."
"It was important that everything was right, we had three meetings together and thought it was right that Steve [Parrish] spoke to other people. And for myself personally I am still very ambitious. I like climbing hills and this is going to be a tough job but one that I'll relish," Pulis added.
While he has famously never been relegated as a manager, he is annoyed that his other achievements have been overlooked.
"I've been very successful as a manager and it annoys me at times you do get pigeon-holed. My record is there for everyone to see. Everyone talks about not being relegated but I've got a few promotions," he went on.
"There's an opportunity to wheel and deal in January. I spoke to the players today and I said we are underdogs but I know what it takes and hopefully I won't put this football club in trouble.
"I've spoken to Ian [Holloway] a few times and you have to give managers who have taken on the club great credit. He said the club has great potential and you have to give them great credit."
Commenting on Pulis' appointment, Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parrish added: "You need to get it right, we weren't expecting Ian [Holloway] to go and you have to look at who is available and who is right for the club. We all want to stay in this division but if we get relegated we need to bring the manager in who is going to take the club back up and I wanted to get that right.
"To just bring someone in to my football club who I've only met for half an hour is not long enough. With the luxury of the international break I decided to take my time. I feel really positive about everything."
