TONY Pulis will need a "cast iron assurance" he can bring in new players to Crystal Palace if he decides to take the managerial vacancy, the Advertiser has been told tonight.
The 55-year-old is reportedly is talks again with the Eagles, and should he accept the challenge to keep the club up, Palace fans should expect a number of "no-nonsense" players to arrive and put their bodies on the line to achieve survival.
In a glowing appraisal from a close source to the former Stoke City boss, it seems Pulis has always wanted to take job in the capital – as reported by the Advertiser last month – but he has never been relegated in his career either.
And it may be the "challenge" is he looking for after being quoted on a local radio station earlier today.
But it seems initial talks had begun between Pulis and the Eagles soon after Ian Holloway's departure too.
"Whether Palace have thrown a shed load of money at him, it didn't seem like Tony would be going there," our close source to Pulis has told the Advertiser.
"I spoke to Tony a few weeks ago but not really discussed Palace. He felt talks were dead and buried.
"Put it this way, he's got tremendous experience in the Premier League and he would make Palace very, very hard to beat.
"I think bringing in players would be an important factor. He likes big, strong, tall players.
"Defensively, he will shore them up at the back and he will work overtime on that.
"If anyone can keep Palace up, it's him. Obviously, it's one hell of a task, though. He's always wanted to manage a London club and that could be a big factor too.
"Tony has never been relegated – he doesn't know what relegation is. He would have his reputation on the line.
"He would need a cast iron assurance from the chairman that funds will be available, because he will buy the kind of defenders he believes in – big, strong, no-nonsense guys."Don't miss further quotes on Pulis on our website tomorrowFollow us on Twitter @AdvertiserSport
