DESPITE a difficult start to his Crystal Palace managerial career, things are starting to look up for George Burley whose brand of passing football is finally winning plaudits and points alike.

Burley took over in June with the club still reeling from its five months in administration and quickly realised the scale of the task he had taken on.

But the former Scotland boss thought he had pulled off a major transfer coup early on when he tempted 37-year-old legend Edgar Davids out of retirement.

Ultimately the deal was doomed to failure as Davids’ two years out of football proved too much of a mountain to climb.

The Dutchman left after just a handful of games in Palace colours, leaving Burley to ponder whether the Davids experiment was a worthwhile one.

“Edgar was a very good pro and he was great to work with,” said Burley.

“He didn’t cost us any money, he added to the squad when we were very short of numbers and it was great for the Crystal Palace fans to see a world class player coming in and enjoying the club.

“So I don’t see any negatives.”

There were negatives on the pitch, though, as Palace found themselves rooted to the foot of the Championship, leaving some disgruntled fans calling for the manager's head.

But Burley has always maintained this particular job is a long-term project and one he is still enjoying.

He said: “I’ve been well looked after at Crystal Palace, both the fans and the board have been terrific and I’ve enjoyed working with a good squad of players.

“But then again I knew it wasn’t a squad that was the finished article and ready to challenge immediately.

“I was coming into a club with 10 players and no coaching staff which was looking to build again and it is something I am really enjoying doing.”

A crippling injury list didn’t help but as this has slowly eased, the Eagles have begun to soar and have just rerecorded three consecutive home victories.

Burley recalls: “What has really hindered us this season is being without key players like Darren Ambrose and Neil Danns.

"When we’ve had them back of late, they’ve made a big difference.”

And the manager is keen to strengthen in the January transfer window to build on the club’s increasing momentum.

He added: “There’s no doubt we need to try and add to the squad in January.

“But I think there have been some encouraging signs of late and it’s the perfect time to build a squad up which is going to do well in the Championship.”

This, combined with recent home results and the scintillating performances which have underpinned them, will give fans hope that they will be looking up not down for the remainder of the season.