Sunday 3 May 2015 11:25, UK
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew admits he has been working his side hard as they look to frustrate potential champions Chelsea on Sunday.
Victory for Chelsea would secure their first Premier League crown since 2010 but Pardew knows what it takes to defeat Jose Mourinho’s side.
Pardew led former club Newcastle to a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in December, less than a month before he moved to Selhurst Park, but he knows current side Palace must be at their best if they are to get any sort of result at Stamford Bridge.
“Jose always sets the team up with the strengths he has in the squad. He maximises individuals (abilities),” said Pardew.
“Our solution this week has been to work hard. Work on our fitness levels, our technical skills and our team shape. On Tuesday we stopped doing ball work and did some running. I think they enjoyed that!
“They will dominate possession and the two thirds of the pitch that we have to defend, but we carry a threat. We've got to try and produce a performance that doesn't get carried away in the emotion of the day.”
An impressive run of four straight wins, including a 2-1 home victory over Manchester City on April 6 ended with successive 2-0 defeats to West Brom and Hull.
Pardew says his side underperformed, particularly against Hull, although he remains confident they will improve for Sunday’s London derby.
“Last weekend was below the group's standard. I didn't even need to tell them, they told me. We didn't reach the levels last week,” he added.
“You don't always win when you play well. But on Saturday it was by far the worst performance during my time here.
“We need to respond following our recent defeats, for ourselves and to keep the Premier League title race interesting.”
Watch Chelsea v Crystal Palace as part of Super Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 at 12:30pm.
