Alan Pardew favourite to replace Ian Holloway at Crystal Palace

According to a report in the Sunday People, Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway is likely to be the first manager to be sacked this season after struggling in the transfer window.

The paper quoted: “Palace insiders say Holloway is under massive pressure, with Newcastle chief Alan Pardew the shock name in the frame to replace him. Holloway took the Eagles soaring into the big time but major trouble in the transfer market has left him with a weak looking squad.”

Crystal palace suffered a 2-1 defeat against Stoke City on Saturday and the result has made life hard for Holloway.

“As Palace supremo Steve Parish watches how Holloway handles the big time there is a growing and informed feeling that Pardew is the red-hot tip for the post, Pardew has had his own troubles at the Toon and is still a Palace legend from his time at the club as a player,” the report said.

Crystal Palace started their season on the back foot after being beaten by Tottenham at home. However, the manager responded positively after their defeat against stoke.

“There was a little spell in the game where Stoke scored a couple of goals and we couldn’t get back in it. But I thought it was a better performance than last weekend, and I thought the new lads particularly helped the group,” he said in his post-match interview.

Crystal Palace next play host to Sunderland on Saturday.