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London - Alan Pardew will take the first steps in his efforts to steer Crystal Palace away from the Premier League relegation zone when Tottenham visit Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Pardew abandoned his efforts to secure European football with Newcastle in favour of a survival scrap when he agreed a three-and-a-half year contract to succeed Neil Warnock at the club he once played for.
Palace currently sit third from bottom of the table and Pardew will be expected to repeat Tony Pulis's success of last season when the former manager secured Palace's top-flight status by transforming the club's form in the second half of the season.
Pardew has already overseen last weekend's FA Cup victory over non-league Dover, but he knows his main business begins against Mauricio Pochettino's side.
"We have got a tough challenge. Our home form is not good so we need to try and turn our home situation into a positive for us. In terms of the players, I think they need a lift," Pardew said.
"Hopefully a signing or two could do that. Then hopefully we can get on a run that leads us to safety.
"There is a feeling among the players that they can do it and you need that belief to start building."
And explaining his surprise decision to leave Newcastle, he added: "It was difficult to leave because it is a big club.
"It is a club that is run on fairly tight financial margins. Our net spend was one of the lowest in the Premier League.
"We really had to work hard at transfers because, when it is a club that size, it is difficult for the fans to understand building slowly.
"It was my decision. (Palace chairman) Steve Parish met the clause in my contract so I had a decision to make. I thought this new challenge would be a good one for me. I think am a good fit for Palace.
"It was right for me and hopefully for Palace. Also for Newcastle, because four years with that monetary situation and the history means it is difficult for the manager.
"I have left a good club and I like to think I have left it with a good base of players."
