Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew hopes to build on FA Cup run during 2016/17 season

It has already been a busy summer at Selhurst Park and more activity seems likely before the transfer window slams shut. The club have signed Andros Townsend, Steve Mandanda and James Tomkins, and are surely still in the market for a centre-forward, having had a bid for Christian Benteke rejected earlier this summer.

On the other hand, there have been plenty of outgoings at the Eagles this summer, too. Emmanuel Adebayor, Marouane Chamakh and Brede Hangeland have all been released on free transfers, among numerous others. And with their wages off the club's books and Palace's new owners apparently willing to splash the cash, there is plenty of scope for improvement before the end of August.

Last season

Premier League: 15th

FA Cup: Runners-up

League Cup: 4th round

Top scorer: Dwight Gayle (7 goals)

Manager – Alan Pardew

For neutrals, Crystal Palace's 2015/16 season will be best remembered for Alan Pardew's touchline jig during the FA Cup final defeat against Manchester United. However, for Palace fans, the day out at Wembley was a memorable occasion and while they ultimately came up short, there is good reason to believe Pardew is the man to take them forwards.

The boss has been backed in the transfer market and if Pardew can achieve his ambition of signing a proven goalscorer this summer, they will have designs on finishing somewhere in the middle of the table.

Key player – Andros Townsend

A real enigma of English football, Andros Townsend joined the Eagles for a club-record fee after failing to save Newcastle United from relegation last season. At 25, he ought to be entering the peak years of his career, but remains frustratingly inconsistent.

However, if he can recapture the form that made him a fixture in the England squad under Roy Hodgson, Townsend promises to be a big asset for his new club, who have struggled to score goals and create chances since returning to the Premier League.

What's more, Townsend could force his way back into the England squad under new boss Sam Allardyce, having missed out on selection for Euro 2016.

Expectations

Despite the club's new-found wealth, the majority of Palace fans would surely consider survival to be another successful season. If they can complement a secure, mid-table finish with a good run in one of the cup competitions, then Pardew ought to be a happy manager in 2017.

IBT prediction – 14th

Despite their failure to sign a consistent goalscorer, Palace have one of the best English managers in the game and ought to win enough win points at Selhurst Park to safeguard their Premier League future for another season. The Eagles would love to supplement consolidation in the league with a good run in one of the cups.