The Premier League awaits...

The nPower Championship season concluded yesterday, with the third and final team claiming their long awaited and well deserved place in the Premier League next season via the play-offs; that team being Crystal Palace.

Come August, they will be joining Cardiff and Hull in battle against the English elite (and Welsh), testing their mettle in the toughest league in the country. 

Wilfred Zaha - key to their promotion

They have endured a tough season, but the effort that each player has put into this campaign has proved worthwhile in the end. Zaha in particular can certainly feel proud of his contributions this season; especially in the play off semi-final, scoring a brace to gain the Palace a place at Wembley, and in his man of the match performance at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, drawing the crucial foul which led to the winner; a spot kick despatched in fine fashion by 39-year-old veteran Kevin Philips - the perfect candidate for a high pressure occasion such as this.

For Zaha, however, the celebrations didn't last long before his mind wandered to the thoughts of his future, with the recently crowned champions of the Premier League, Manchester United. It was clear to see that the emotion of the occasion had got to him, knowing that he may have played his last game for The Eagles, a club which clearly means a lot to him.

If Palace are to survive the Premier League, renewing the loan contract for Zaha is of paramount importance, I feel. He has proved influential in the majority of their matches this season, and in the Premier League, his skill and pace is sure to provide a tough challenge for any top defense.

Holloway himself knows how difficult a task survival in the BPL can be, having suffered relegation with Blackpool just two years ago, despite a hard-fought points total of 39, which ironically would have been enough to ensure safety if obtained over the past two seasons.

Barking orders at Wembley

But a new task lies ahead of him, with a new team, and he may need to call on that experience to help see him through, managing a side who have been Premier League contenders on 5 seperate occasions, but have been relegated at the first attempt every time. The odds are stacked against them....

They will take comfort, then, from the fact that the last two play off winners, West Ham & Swansea, have succeeded in avoiding the drop and pushed on to cement themselves in the mid-table of the BPL.

What struck me though, was Holloway's statement regarding the £120m of funds which will be generated for the club over time as a result of this promotion. He confirmed that the majority of this will be spent on redeveloping Selhurst Park.

I can understand the need to develop the stadium and it's facilities, but how much does he mean by 'majority'? In addition, he said "How much you spend on your group isn't always what gives you success. It's what's inside their hearts and how much they work for you."

I agree completely!

A newly promoted side from the championship, however, who are potentially losing one of their key squad members, need to invest in new talent.

Reading, QPR and Wigan are just a few teams that have quality players in abundance, who will be itching to return to the Premier League, following their side's dismal campaigns.

I like Ian Holloway, and I've enjoyed watching Crystal Palace this season. I'm glad they've secured a long awaited return to the Premier League.

But if the Eagles don't ruffle a few feathers and reinforce their squad, they will come crashing back down, of that I'm sure....