Monday 9 November 2015 16:56, UK
Alan Pardew believes Crystal Palace's lack of European football can help maintain their impressive Premier League form.
The Eagles' 2-1 victory away at Liverpool on Sunday lifted Palace to eighth place in the Premier League, just five points off fourth placed Manchester United, who they held to a goalless draw last week at Selhurst Park.
Both Liverpool and United are involved in European competition - something Pardew believes has helped his team gain four "massive points".
"The last two games we've defended brilliantly and it has got us four massive points against two big clubs," he said.
"We have no complications, no Europa League, no League Cup, so the Premier League is right at the top of our agenda. That helps us because all these big clubs have Europe to contend with."
Palace were rewarded for their attacking intent at Anfield, earning themselves a fourth away win of the season - and Pardew admits the only thing currently holding back his squad is the lack of belief in themselves.
However, he hopes the last two results will have helped boost confidence adding: "I said to the players afterwards that the problem with this team is it doesn't trust how good it can be.
"We proved that when we backed off yesterday, but when we went toe-to-toe, I thought it was an even contest.
"This was the last game in a series of games which was a goal for us and we needed three points to achieve that goal.
"We are kind of on target for what we think we are going to get. I did promise an extra day off if the players reached their target and maybe that played more of a part!"
