Palace target 40-point mark with win against Everton
Crystal Palace can reach the 40-point mark with victory when they host Everton in the Barclays Premier League on Wednesday - and once safe manager Alan Pardew can think about signing a new deal at the club.
Saturday's 1-0 win against Norwich earned Palace a first league victory since December 19 and lifted much of the pressure that had been building on them.
Pardew said: "There's no way I'm going to sign a new contract if we're in danger of relegation, so I have to wait until mathematically we're safe and then hopefully sign a new contract here.
"Of course I want to stay here. It was just a gentleman's agreement on my part."
Asked if victory over Everton would secure survival, Pardew said: "Yeah, pretty much. It would be very difficult for other teams to catch you at that level."
But he added: "Twelfth is a lot different to 16th, perception-wise, and we want to hunt down as many points as we can."
Pardew felt the Eagles' poor run owed much to the absence through injury of significant players but Emmanuel Adebayor has returned to fitness and the expectation is that James McArthur will be fit to face Manchester United next Wednesday, despite previous fears he could miss the remainder of the season.
"Adebayor is now fit, so he's gone into the squad (to face Everton)," said the 54-year-old.
"McArthur is very close, he is training with us now. We're hoping he could feature in the Manchester United game, which would be a huge bonus before the semi-final (of the FA Cup against Watford on April 24). We've really missed him.
"(Connor) Wickham was obviously involved (against Norwich) and he will be this game, whether he starts or not we'll have to wait and see."
Meanwhile, Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists he is under no greater pressure now than he was when fighting relegation in four seasons with Wigan.
There is a growing number of fans who are becoming increasingly disgruntled with the Toffees boss after another season of underachievement.
Everton are 14th in the Barclays Premier League table having won just four matches at home all term and, despite an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to, having also reached the last four of the Capital One Cup, the natives are becoming restless.
There were 'Martinez Out' banners at the weekend's match at Watford and there are likely to be more protests during Wednesday's game at Selhurst Park but the Spaniard is adamant he is not feeling the heat.
"As a manager, you understand that there is always the pressure you put on yourself," he said.
"With the scrutiny of the outside or not, you always follow an intense way of working which, in the last seven years I have been involved in the Premier League, has always been the same, and I won't stop doing that.
"You need to be very consistent as a manager; you need to be able to work under the demands this position requires, and I wouldn't say that is any different to what I have done in the last seven seasons at this level.
"You cannot control outside scrutiny. As a manager you concentrate on what you can affect, and we can affect many things from now until the end of the season."
Footage has emerged of Martinez involved in a discussion with a supporter at Monday night's under-21s victory over Chelsea at Southport, although it is only a video and nothing of the conversation can be heard.
The Toffees boss said he welcomes dialogue with fans, although he dismissed any suggestion the exchange was anything other than friendly.
"It is not a confrontation. I always want to know what the fans feel, and I always respect a fan who supports our club who has a genuine interest in the club," he added.
"I have enormous respect for people who share passion for the club - Evertonians have been through a lot but now is my third season here and I understand and share their frustrations.
"We will never look away from a fan's opinion - if I have an opportunity to share a few moments with a fan, I will always do that as it is important to know how fans feel."
Everton will be without captain Phil Jagielka for the next two matches with a hamstring injury but the defender has not yet been ruled out of their Wembley semi-final on April 23.
"I think it is too early to make that assessment," Martinez said. "Phil is always a quick healer and we will have a better idea on Monday or Tuesday next week."
Source: PAR
