Crystal Palace boss Steve Bruce remained cautiously optimistic about his side's excellent start to the new Nationwide League Division One season.

The Eagles have taken maximum points from their first two games, a 3-2 comeback win at Rotherham on the opening day, and last Saturday's 4-1 battering of Stockport County at Selhurst. But Bruce is refusing to get carried away and knows what a long season lies ahead of his new charges.

"We have a lot of work to do", he admits, "but I've been really pleased with the passion and commitment the lads have shown in the two games.

"We had a bad first half at Rotherham, some things were said at half time, and we came away with the points, and with all due respect to both them and Stockport, we're entitled to be challenging and beating those teams."

With the new regime firmly installed at Selhurst, the effect on the players is all too obvious, a more expansive passing game has replaced the defensive, but ultimately directionless approach of Alan Smith. The signings of Jovan Kirovski and Australian international Toni Popovic, who played as a non-contract player against Leyton Orient on Tuesday before signing officially on Wednesday, have bolstered a squad that looked reasonably able, at least on paper, to deal with most harsh realities the First Division would throw at them.

"We have to keep improving and learning and picking the points up", Bruce says, "we have a good young squad and the addition of quality players like Popovic will help, and I think we'll be fine."

"We've scored some goals, we look lively upfront, and the lads are playing with smiles on their faces, especially in the second-half against Stockport. It was a game in which we could have had six or seven, and if we keep playing that way we'll cause people problems."

The form of striker Clinton Morrison, now a Republic Of Ireland international, has impressed. His has been a week that most players can only dream about, and his club boss is quick to praise his young hitman.

"He's had a memorable week and I'm pleased for him.

"He's come in and put a smile on everybody's face, and he's done very well.

"But it isn't just Clinton, its been the way all the players have reacted to me as a manager, and all the staff as well, because it was not easy for me to walk in here six weeks ago, but things have gone well so far."

Palace's next game, away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, represents the biggest game for the Eagles thus far.

"Forest are a different type of challenge to Rotherham and Stockport, its a big stadium, big crowd and we're looking forward to it and to see if we can keep the good run going."

August 23, 2001 10:03