Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has lavished praise on Alan Pardew for the work that he has done at Crystal Palace since taking charge of the club.

Pardew quit his post as Newcastle United manager earlier this month to replace Neil Warnock, where he has since set about preserving the club's Premier League status.

He has guided them to back-to-back wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley - with the latter boasting a two-goal lead at one point - as well as a 4-0 FA Cup win over Dover.

Koeman's side host the resurgent Eagles at St Mary's in a fourth-round tie this afternoon, and the Dutchman warns that Palace are a different proposition than the side they beat 3-1 on Boxing Day.

"They have a spirit in the team, the confidence and they have had a great start [under Pardew]," he is quoted as saying by ESPN.

"The first win [against Dover] was normally an easy FA Cup round for them, but the first victory in the Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur gave everybody confidence. At the moment they are more difficult to beat than over Christmas on Boxing Day.

"They have new players and a new manager and that always means some changes in tactics or organisation in the team and I think the manager is more happy than he was before, and that's important."

The Saints go into the clash on the crest of a wave themselves, having not lost a game in all competitions since December 16 - eight matches ago.

Written by
Shane Callaghan