CRYSTAL Palace striker Aaron Wilbraham says the Eagles' team spirit and togetherness could be a huge factor if they're to reach the Premier League this season.
Having won promotion from every league in professional football throughout his career so far, Wilbraham knows what it takes to make the next step up and believes the whole Palace squad are keeping their feet firmly on the ground despite sitting in second position in the Championship.
"I've been promoted from League Two to League One with MK Dons," he told Advertiser Sport.
"I then got promoted from League One to the Championship with Hull City and I've done the Championship to the Premier League with Norwich City.
"The thing that gets you there, because it's a long season, is the team spirit, and there are no bad eggs in the dressing room.
"We're not going to start talking that we're going to get promoted, but I think we've got the right kind of team spirit that can definitely take us that way, but we've got to match that with the hard work home and away every week.
"We've definitely got a group of lads who get on well with each other, come in everyday and have the banter with each other, as well as putting 100 per cent towards a match day."
And the 33-year-old says he was made aware of Palace's big rivalry with Brighton & Hove Albion way before last Saturday's match at Selhurst Park.
"When I signed for Palace, I was made aware of the rivalry because I was in talks with Brighton in the summer," he said.
"But I decided to come to Palace and that's where I was made aware of it and they were unhappy I made that choice.
"It's been a good mood in the camp after the win against our local rivals and another three points."
The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.
For a full-page exclusive interview with Wilbraham, who talks about Glenn Murray's fantastic form this season and the influence Ian Holloway has had on the squad since his arrival, do not miss tomorrow's Croydon Advertiser.
Follow me on Twitter for the latest news, exclusives and live match updates @AdvertiserSport
If you're on Facebook, please 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport
And now you can watch our exclusive away video clips on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport
Having won promotion from every league in professional football throughout his career so far, Wilbraham knows what it takes to make the next step up and believes the whole Palace squad are keeping their feet firmly on the ground despite sitting in second position in the Championship.
"I've been promoted from League Two to League One with MK Dons," he told Advertiser Sport.
"I then got promoted from League One to the Championship with Hull City and I've done the Championship to the Premier League with Norwich City.
"The thing that gets you there, because it's a long season, is the team spirit, and there are no bad eggs in the dressing room.
"We're not going to start talking that we're going to get promoted, but I think we've got the right kind of team spirit that can definitely take us that way, but we've got to match that with the hard work home and away every week.
"We've definitely got a group of lads who get on well with each other, come in everyday and have the banter with each other, as well as putting 100 per cent towards a match day."
And the 33-year-old says he was made aware of Palace's big rivalry with Brighton & Hove Albion way before last Saturday's match at Selhurst Park.
"When I signed for Palace, I was made aware of the rivalry because I was in talks with Brighton in the summer," he said.
"But I decided to come to Palace and that's where I was made aware of it and they were unhappy I made that choice.
"It's been a good mood in the camp after the win against our local rivals and another three points."
The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.
For a full-page exclusive interview with Wilbraham, who talks about Glenn Murray's fantastic form this season and the influence Ian Holloway has had on the squad since his arrival, do not miss tomorrow's Croydon Advertiser.
Follow me on Twitter for the latest news, exclusives and live match updates @AdvertiserSport
If you're on Facebook, please 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport
And now you can watch our exclusive away video clips on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport
