DAMIEN DELANEY insists he and his Palace team-mates will not be getting carried away after back-to-back victories in the Premier League under new boss Alan Pardew.
The centre-back has continued his fine form with Scott Dann at the back but both were undone by a quickfire double last weekend at Burnley – only for Jason Puncheon and Dwight Gayle to complete a memorable comeback at Turf Moor.
Delaney's journey in recent seasons is a remarkable one. A popular figure in south London, the Irishman has been a rock at the heart of the defence for two-and-a-half years – and there are strong hopes a contract extension will be announced in due course.
The 33-year-old insists it's all about where Palace find themselves at the end of the season – not now – but getting to the 40-point mark as soon as possible is the target.
"It doesn't matter who we play, we have laid a framework and a standard at this club," said Delaney.
"Anyone can come into it; new players, old players – everyone knows what we're about and what we do.
"It started really from when we were in the Championship and that's the framework people have got to work in. The game at Burnley was no different.
"There is still a long way to go, there are 17 games to go but we have to keep going.
"You could be bottom or 12th, it doesn't matter, May 24 is what it's all about and reaching 40 points.
"If we're in 12th place with 40 points then I'm happy and that's the target. The players are buzzing at the moment but we won't get too carried away.
"It was a big win at Burnley, three points on the road, and without sounding too dour, it's still only January.
"May 24, I'll keep throwing that at you, it's the last day of the season. We haven't achieved anything yet but we've given ourselves a really good chance.
"I think that's around 17 points from 16 games. If we get to 40 points before May 24 then great, otherwise we'll settle for it on that date.
"Situations have come about in my career and it's funny how things can pan out. Our eyes are firmly fixed on Everton in the league.
"We are in and around them at the moment. The Selhurst pitch has been re-laid, which everyone is happy about, and we have a great chance against them next week.
"They have been struggling for a bit of form lately but we'll take the game to them as we always do and I'm sure we'll be OK."
Meanwhile, Delaney was happy with Yaya Sanogo's debut at Burnley, especially as the striker had not played a competitive game since December 9 for Arsenal.
And the former Ipswich Town and QPR defender says he couldn't fault the effort of the Frenchman either.
"It can be difficult coming into a new environment," said Delaney.
"When he came in last week, he got to see what we're about and what we do. I thought he did well at Burnley. The minimum requirement we say to anyone who comes into this football club is effort.
"He gave that at Burnley. He'll figure out how we play and the style. It's hard coming in, possibly with a language barrier with his grasp of it, I'm not sure.
"He needs to work a lot with us on the training ground but his effort can't be faulted, it's a minimum requirement."
