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Premier League: Crystal Palace caretaker boss Keith Millen says 'no excuses' against West Ham

Image: Keith Millen: Ready to face West Ham this weekend

Crystal Palace caretaker manager Keith Millen says there will be 'no excuses' as he prepares the side to face West Ham this weekend amid ongoing managerial turmoil.

Millen was thrust into the spotlight following Tony Pulis’ surprise resignation last week and was in charge for the narrow 2-1 opening day defeat at Arsenal.

Former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay looked poised to take over this week only for events to take another dramatic twist with reports of a damning Cardiff dossier on their former manager.

The chairman might think I tick enough boxes to take this club forward.
Keith Millen

Palace are reported to have contacted Chelsea's international head coach Dermot Drummy as they reignite their search for Pulis' successor.

With Mackay now out of the running, Millen will be at the helm this weekend and he feels he may have a chance of staying there for longer - if the side can deliver results. 

Millen told Sky Sports News HQ: “The chairman has said all along he'll see what's available in terms of manager. He knows what I can do. If you get results then the chairman might think I tick enough boxes to take this club forward.

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After an eventful few days at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace caretaker manager has urged the players to remain focused ahead of their first home game of th

“I don’t think what is going on weakens us. I have got Gerry Francis here and we are working hard to make sure we deliver the results on the pitch. 

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“The confidence is there. We have a stronger group of players now than we did last year but we need more competition for places, it’s just that we don’t have a manager. As far as team and tactics are concerned, we are in good shape.

“We've done our homework on West Ham as we know we've got a tough game so the set-up is here – there will be no excuses.

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The uncertainty over the manager's position at Selhurst Park continues, and West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes Palace should appoint a British coach,

“If we continue to come up with some transfer targets then whoever comes in as manager can see who we think we need. A lot of the rumoured names have been in the Premier League and I think that's what the chairman wants.”

In light of Cardiff's allegations, Iain Moody - who worked for the Welsh club before moving to Palace last year - has left his post as sporting director at Selhurst Park.

Millen added: "Iain was brought in to do a job to recruit and scout players, and Iain was experienced at that job. The chairman will now have to look at that situation, to see whether he wants to bring someone in."

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