ROYS LONG P/C
Team's transformation this season
Not really the word I would've used. We had a difficult spell due to injuries and severity of fixtures. But some of the performances were far from poor.
No need for an enormous transformation, improving on things that needed it, and bring in two players who've made a difference in terms of competition so far in our attacking phase of play.
In terms of Eze and Michy, we have players who look like they can make and score goals, aided by the return of Jeff Schlupp.
Good start
Certainly out of character for Palace, we usually end well - hopefully that's still the case.
Always good to get points on the board, we looked at the fixtures and thought the start would be difficult, but important to get points on the board and see the team perform as well as they have done.
Toughest aspect of your job in coronavirus time
I don't really know. The situation for me is still rather surreal. Not the same after so many years of going to big stadia and suddenly we're working in isolation.
We're glad to do that because the alternative would be to not work at all.
I've got no complaints about our motivation and ability to get in the right frame of mind, but that goes for our opponents too.
The quality of football hasn't change but the atmosphere and ambience has massively, and everybody misses the fans, they give you that extra filip.
There's disappointment that the fan return has been pushed back.
Nathaniel Clyne - how long is he here, how's he progressing?
There's no rush. We don't have a timeline, that might be decided by him - he might say I've got this club who have offered me a contract, what are you going to do?
I think he's still happy to be getting his playing standard up to the level he knows he can reach, and the level we want to see from him.
He's done two sessions with the team, it's still early doors but I'm happy to be working with him and I'll be talking with him.
If he was Under-21 there'd be no doubt, but he's over age and that affects the squad numbers.
Injuries and form
It's only two games. It's nice to have wins and the performances, but it's only two games.
A tough task against Everton, let's wait and see how that and Chelsea go before drawing conclusions.
The wins certainly take off some of the early pressure.
Everton's business
Without a doubt, I thought they were a little unlucky last year not to finish higher, but there's no doubt the players they've brought in have made a considerable difference and getting Gomes back.
James Rodridguez and Allan are tailor made signings for the slots that he wanted filling and the profile he wanted.
I congratulate Carlo on that, and I'm looking forward to seeing him, albeit not the challenge they'll represent.
Benrahma
His name has been circulated, as have many other players. When those things happen, I play along with it and say we neither want him or don't.
How close that makes him to joining us remains to be seen, and I don't really have any interest in discussing players we're linked with.
Some links are genuine, some are attempts from agents to put their players in the shop window.
Zaha not good enough for top four says Carragher
I never ever get involved with other people and their comments.
Jamie has been asked to give opinions about players, and he's entitled to that but I'm not going to get into polemics and exchanges of opinion with him.
Everyone knows how I feel about Wilf and how highly I rate him - others are welcome to their opinion.
Most competitive squad you've had?
Yes, absolutely. No question of that but we needed it too because in the past we don't think our squad has been competitive enough.
We're working hard to redress the balance but I'm liking the squad and the potential.
But we need players back. There's far too many in the treatment room. Let's see where we are after the international break.
Injury news
Benteke has been training this week, I could count on him.
One or two have made very brief appearances but it doesn't really get beyond the initial phase.
We're pretty much where we were last week.
The edge
Players need that edge to see there are others willing to take their place and push them to that standard.
Competition for places is good for everybody, and as a manager something you need.
Especially when we were in lockdown and getting used to being a 16 man squad.
It's a vital importance.
Everton's main threats changed
They've added to their attacking threat.
Certainly Calvert-Lewin is getting better every year.
Richarlison has started well enough.
But the signings Allan and James Rodriguez have given them a boost, as does the return of Gomes who was missing.
Not enormous changes in the style, it's a question of the quality being there for the style Carlo wants to be produced.
Best start for a while
It's always nice to get off to a good start, but I'm far too conscious of the fact it's a 38 game season, and 2/38 is not a good proportion.
Good seasons come about from what you produce at the end, and it's the time when you can be saved or lift you up the league.
I'm not getting carried away with it or expecting players to get carried away with it, having said that it's nice when people are saying that about you rather than the opposite.
Eze and Mitchell
We're happy with our signings, certainly the two that have come in have shown they can improve the quality.
Tyrick got his chance last season, took that well and has continued that this season.
He's definitely been a plus for us and I hope he will continue to improve and that people won't put exceptional pressure on him because he's a young man and in the nursery stage of his career.
Tyrick a new Wan-Bissaka?
It's a fair question, Aaron looked very much like Tyrick when he came in, took the game by storm and made the position his own very quickly.
Not just a few games, a whole 38 games where he hardly put a foot wrong. Tyrick knows what he's got in front of him.
I think there's a direct parallel between the two of them.
Handball rules
There's always been rules I haven't totally agreed with. I can't allow it to bother me.
I don't get my choice of rules, I have to go along with the masses.
I've been quite vocal in saying handball should be deliberate and not a question of where your hands happen to be.
I've been voted down on that.
I wasn't jumping for joy when it hit Lindelof's arm. I wouldn't have complained if no penalty.
Safety in COVID times
There is more testing now, so presumably we're hearing about more people contracting it.
What frightens me is when people are in intensive care, and in football we haven't had anyone who's needed that so far.
It's a fact of daily lives, and testing will show an increase: I just hope everyone will recover without having to go into hospital or run the risk of falling very seriously well.
I wish David Moyes and the players very well. It's very much there but for the grace of God go.
It's heart in the mouth every time you have a test.
How much do we need grassroots this season?
Football's a pyramid, we don't wish to lose the base just because we happen to be at the apex.
I don't have an answer to problems, but it's very distressing.
I can only empathise and say it's a great shame to lose so many matches, but I don't think it's going to have a great effect on Premier League clubs.
