December 28 2001

Simon Jordan

Simon Jordan is confident Trevor Francis can turn Palace's fortunes around and end up in a play-off place at the end of the season.

Palace have plummeted down the league table after a good start and have yet to win under the new boss.

Jordan told the Evening Standard: "I'm the eternal optimist and on every appointment I'm always extremely confident and wax lyrical about the manager I put in place.

"But I feel more with Trevor than any of his predecessors that he is equipped to give us the long-term success we require.

"We have had a change of manager, which will mean a period of transition, but I believe that while in recent weeks we have not been getting the results we wanted, we will regroup and become stronger.

"Our away form leaves a lot to be desired. We have to be stronger both mentally and physically because we are certainly good enough to get points away from home.

"I am confident we will push on from the good start we have made and if we can get our away form under control we will be there or thereabouts."