Crystal Palace: Tony Pulis says he can keep club in Premier League

Tony Pulis believes he can keep Crystal Palace in the Premier League after taking over from Ian Holloway at Selhurst Park.

The ex-Stoke boss, who has never been relegated during his management career, was unveiled on Monday by Palace, who are three points from safety.

"Everyone expects us to get relegated and it will be nice to prove people wrong," said Pulis.

"I like climbing hills and this will be a tough job but one I will relish."

Pulis has won promotion from all three English divisions during a career that has taken him to Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City, Portsmouth and Plymouth, as well as Stoke.

"What people don't talk about with my record is that I've been promoted from every division and got to the Cup final and last 32 of Europe," he said.

"You do get pigeonholed for things and people say I've not been relegated but I've won promotions and have been very successful."

Palace signed 16 players during the summer but Pulis has vowed to continue spending in January.

"I've spoken to [chairman] Steve Parish, we have six games before Christmas before the window opens and then there is an opportunity to wheel and deal," he said.

"We need to look at January and certainly will. I know what it takes and hopefully I won't put this football club in the wrong way. They have to be done in the right way."

Pulis confirmed caretaker Keith Millen, who oversaw a 1-0 win at Hull on Saturday, will remain on the Palace coaching staff but the new boss has yet to establish his full backroom team.

"Keith will be staying, I signed him at Bristol City so there is no problems there," he said.

Pulis was appointed on Saturday, a month after Holloway left the Londoners, but Parish defended the club's decision to take their time.

He said: "Did it take so long? What's the right time? If you are hiring a manager for two or three years you need to get it right.

"I was not expecting Ian to go and we needed to think about the right thing. We all want to stay in this division but you need to get the right manager to take the club back up as well.

"I don't know Tony but just to bring someone in I've met for half an hour would be stupid. Our direction needs to be right. I don't care if anyone says it is too long, I don't work to their timescales. We're pleased with the outcome."