EAGLES columnist DANIEL GRIGG is confident Palace’s dramatic improvement this season is no flash in the pan and explains why.

CRYSTAL Palace completed their second consecutive away league victory as they defeated a struggling Watford side 2-0 thanks to second half wonder strikes from Wilfried Zaha and Jermaine Easter.

Only four teams – Southampton, West Ham, Middlesbrough and Leeds – now have a better goal difference than Palace, who have still yet to be beaten by more than a one goal margin all season.

However, the similarities between this season’s buoyant Palace side and the Watford team which played so well under Malky Mackay last season, aren’t difficult to spot.

Both clubs, while very short of money, have at their fingertips a vast array of improving and talented youngsters, stepping up from the youth team.

Palace, like Watford last season, entrusted their manager’s job to a younger man this time, allowing a club legend to cut his teeth in management not long after finishing his own playing career.

Both clubs have dealt with severe financial problems and some very worrying times.

But Watford proved an example last season of what can be done with a loyal fan-base, a history of relative success and a bright, creative and popular manager.

There was even a stage last season when Watford had, against the odds, looked on course for a play-off finish before ending the season slowly and dropping to 14th.

So with Watford currently under pressure in 20th place, now with a new manager and several of last season’s star players performing for other clubs, it’s a warning to Palace’s chairman to concentrate on what the Eagles do next season as much as this one.

Keeping what works and replacing what doesn’t is the key.

Although Palace are in a good situation as far as keeping hold of their star players goes.

Remember Julian Speroni, Jonathan Parr, Dean Moxey, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Mile Jedinak, Sean Scannell, Glenn Murray, Jonathan Williams and Zaha are all contracted to stay at Palace for at least another two seasons beyond this current one.

But beware the Icarus Effect, although sometimes it’s unavoidable when a club doesn’t always have the money to back up the superb talent of its squad.

Flying high also brings danger, as it alerts every rich chairman in the Championship with half an eye on promotion to the possibility of signing players like Scannell, Zaha and Nathaniel Clyne.

These are Palace players who continue to step up and who’re making a real name for themselves, just as Victor Moses did.

However, there’s a greater feeling of momentum and permanence about Palace than there was with Watford.

With the players at Dougie Freedman’s disposal and the club’s size and support, this season’s improvements should be long lasting and further built upon in future campaigns.

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