Crystal Palace’s fairy tale season finished with a dream ending as Alan Pardew’s men saw three results go in their favour to finish in the top half of the Premier League.

This is the second highest finish in our history and meant the feat achieved by Tony Pulis last year was bettered in terms of points and league position. That at least means we can forget about the man who threatened to crush our aspirations by walking out two days before the opening game at Arsenal.

Palace are now starting to be taken seriously as a Premier League club and this summer is one of the most important close-seasons in the clubs recent history. We are a few signings and contract extensions away from building a team that is not only good enough to indefinitely stay in the Premier League, but one capable of continuing their pursuit on the top ten.

The club is stronger than ever financially and we are now at a time where our best players will only be sold to the world’s elite as opposed to anyone who is willing to buy. Pardew and Steve Parish are no doubt already deep in discussion over the plans for the summer, highlighting potential targets and thinking about who can be taken off of the wage bill.

The first aim should be to keep the core of the current team together. The work has already begun in that department as Joel Ward, Damien Delaney, Julian Speroni and Jason Puncheon have signed extensions and it is imperative Yannick Bolasie and Scott Dann are also offered new deals.

Work required in the transfer window in terms of additions is for once a minor task with a new centre-back, central midfielder and forward the only things which are a necessity. Interestingly the most work will be done focusing on the outgoings at the club rather than the incomings.

We have inadvertently formed a huge squad thanks to the rack and stack style of previous managers and there will no doubt be losses for some Palace fans in the summer. Mile Jedinak, who has hardly been a regular under Pardew, has already been linked with a move away and Dwight Gayle, a fans’ favourite, looks to have no future in red and blue with Premier League new boys Bournemouth amongst a handful of clubs reportedly interested.

With the club now boasting a top half Premier League finish, the calibre of players who we will be able to sign will be greater than ever. If we are to lose some favourites, it can be guaranteed it will be to make way for a player who will take Crystal Palace forward.

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