HARD work and dedication. Whatever side you support, those two characteristics are what most supporters will list as their core requirements for what they want to see on the pitch. It's what I like to see.
Talent is allowed to flourish in that kind of working environment - you don't have to forgo entertainment when you work hard - it goes hand in hand.
Neil Warnock, for all the negatives that we as fans have a tendency to focus on, is a manager who puts hard work at the core of everything he does.
The club have said they wanted someone like Tony Pulis in terms of the defensive outlook, and Warnock certainly meets that criteria.
What is surprising is that the club have picked up five points from nine, with an unbeaten run of three games, since Warnock's appointment.
Of the games played, Burnley was perhaps the disappointing result of the three, with early chances not converted and the side struggling to break the Clarets down.
A Julian Speroni penalty save made the draw feel more like a win, however.
The Newcastle result should perhaps have been a win, had we not made such glaring defensive errors.
The Everton result, despite a slow start and a hair-raising end, was a win however, and a deserved one.
In none of the games that Palace have played under Warnock, have the side looked like a second-best team.
They have competed, pushed themselves and held opponents to the sword. You won't break down a promoted side as easily as you might do against an established side - the dynamics are different.
Newcastle and Everton won't sit back intent on winning a point when all three are there to be taken - they aren't going to be as pragmatic - which feeds into Palace's approach perfectly.
So while I wasn't sure about Warnock becoming Palace's new manager, I can see where some of his value lies.
This squad is talented enough to open up the best of opponent. It's the hard work and dedication that requires encouragement to make sure that talent has a chance to shine, and Warnock brings that in abundance.
