THE feared timid start to the season is writ large after being stunned by Scunthorpe.

The uphill battle faced by Palace is clear as the skeletal squad is rapidly overhauled by George Burley.

This side will take time to gel after such huge changes and late additions.

The reliance on key men Darren Ambrose and Paddy McCarthy is stark and their absence is costly. McCarthy returned to lead Palace to safety last season and without the experienced pros Burley's task appears taller.

The appointment of Burley by CPFC2010 was a welcome change from the tired template of recruiting a former Palace player, or manager.

He comes with a pedigree and reputation for playing football the right way and we're seeing the results in the flowing moves on the pitch, if not points.

There is definitely a balance to be struck between the pretty stuff and grinding out results in this attritional division and Palace have to bridge that divide and find an equilibrium that allows the Eagles to build a solid platform for future growth. Burley has his work cut out. The timing of the takeover leaves Palace chasing the pack. The squad was inadequate and hopelessly depleted after two years of relentless erosion.

Burley has already shown that his connections are a strength. The leadership of Simon Jordan and Neil Warnock represented two of football's most abrasive characters, but Burley has seemed to find the loan market easier to negotiate.

Whether that is a result of the football world being happier to deal with the good guys in charge at Selhurst, one can only speculate. Certainly Burley's reputation has seen loan deals happening quickly and regularly as he attempts to plump up the squad within the financial constraints. Jon Obika has to prove he's not Freddie Sears Mark II. Alex Marrow's move from Blackburn is also promising, as is Julian Bennett.

Some cynics might deplore any move for yet another ex-Ipswich striker. Alan Lee came good in the end and will be missed, but the deal Huddersfield offered was too good for Palace, and Lee, to ignore. His replacement, Pablo Counago seems to cement the departure from the Warnock lump-up-front model.

The most exciting signing, and best example of Burley's connections, is the spectacular signing of one-time international superstar Edgar Davids.

Despite his age, and the recent sojourn in his career, he still represents the most sensational addition since Attilio Lombardo. If he departs Palace with a fraction of the goodwill felt towards the Italian, everyone will have benefited.

Yet Wilfried Zaha has made the most impressive impact and will be sorely missed while suspended. He is reminiscent of Ian Wright and there can be no greater praise than that.

It's a good time for an international break to iron issues out in training. More defeats will drain confidence. The pretty play needs to create goals or we'll be embroiled in a struggle, even without minus 10.