Pardew's job on the line amid Palace crisis

LONDON • Alan Pardew has conceded his future at Crystal Palace is dependent upon arresting the side's dismal recent form and admitted the club find themselves in "crisis" ahead of today's pivotal home game against Southampton.

Palace have lost their last six Premier League games and hover outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Pardew, 55, has spoken with the chairman, Steve Parish, and been made aware patience is wearing thin, with the club's co-owners - the American businessmen David Blitzer and Josh Harris - anxious to protect their investment and Sam Allardyce available as a potential replacement.

"The chairman and the board here have been fantastically supportive," said Pardew.

"This is a great football club and one they have great plans for, but it's in crisis at the moment, a kind of mini-crisis, and we need to get through that."

Asked if he had been told his job hinges upon getting a positive result against Southampton, Pardew said: "No, but I'm a realist. I understand the situation with the Premier League. I have got to make sure the next result is a positive one for us."

The Americans are au fait with Allardyce's standing and achievements in the game, with the Wales coach Chris Coleman, the former England manager Roy Hodgson and Roberto Mancini, who left Inter Milan in August, all having been mentioned in discussions.

Pardew's preparations for Southampton have been hampered by the loss of Connor Wickham to knee-ligament damage.

Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda is also out for four to six weeks after his knee locked up in training this week.

THE GUARDIAN

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 03, 2016, with the headline Pardew's job on the line amid Palace crisis. Subscribe