Southampton boss Ronald Koeman says FA Cup opponents Crystal Palace are much improved under Alan Pardew.
The appointment of Pardew has brought with it an impressive change in fortunes at Palace, with their former player overseeing three successive wins in all competitions.
"They have a spirit in the team, the confidence and they have had a great start (under Pardew)," Koeman said of Palace.
"The first win (against Dover) was normally an easy FA Cup round for them, but the first victory in the Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur gave everybody confidence.
"At the moment they are more difficult to beat than over Christmas on Boxing Day.
"They have new players and a new manager and that always means some changes in tactics or organisation in the team and I think the manager is more happy than he was before, and that's important."
