The former Cardiff city and West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon has said that the arrival of Tony Pulis has worked to the benefit of Crystal Palace, as the former Stoke city manager has been able to organise the defence. Pulis has been out of work after leaving Stoke city at the end of last season.

He returned to management after taking over the difficult job at Crystal Palace. The club have been installed as the favourites for relegation, which is something Pulis has never experienced in his long managerial career. However, many expected Crystal Palace to go down even after the arrival of Pulis.

Since his arrival, he has been able to turn around the fortunes of the club that were rooted to the bottom of the table. Four victories since December have helped them stay in touch with the other clubs fighting against relegation. There are currently just one place above the drop zone and Gabbidon says that the club are now more confident about avoiding relegation. Pulis is expected to bring a couple of players in January, which could again work to the benefit of the team.
Gabbidon says that the work done by Pulis to organised the defence has been the main reason towards Crystal Palace looking up in the table.

"In this league, especially with the lower teams, you need everybody to put a shift in, to know what they are doing and to be organised. That is what the gaffer has instilled in all of us since he has come in. I think he does not love just the back four, but the whole team defending together. Maybe earlier in the season that was something we were not really getting right. He definitely does pride himself on the back four and I think he sees that as the starting point for everything," said Gabbidon.