Shaun Derry is eyeing Championship survival as the perfect end to a turbulent story for Crystal Palace.

The captain has seen the club go into administration, lose 10 points, change managers and defer players' wages three times since August.

However, the Eagles are still in with a strong chance of staying up following Saturday's 1-0 win over play-off chasing Sheffield United.

Derry said: "I have said to the boys what a great story this could be if, come the end of the season, after all the trials and tribulations we have had, we are still in the Championship and doing it the right way.

"We know we are in a relegation-threatened position and that performance on Saturday was for Crystal Palace.

"There's been a lot of talk this past week and as players you are so keen just to get underway and start the game on Saturday so I am glad it is out of the way with a good three points.

"When a manager leaves and a new one comes in it makes the first game even more important.

"Paul has come in with a real open mind and I think he respects the fact that we wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for administration.

"He clearly believes in us as players and I thought the response from a difficult week was really good against a strong Sheffield United side.

"Paul wanted us to keep a bit more possession from throw-ins and I thought they looked good.

"He didn't want us to lose the spirit, determination and the hunger installed in us through Neil Warnock and I thought we showed it well."

Derry, who was the second player Warnock brought to the club, said he wasn't disappointed by the Yorkshireman's decision to leave for London rivals Queens Park Rangers last week.

"I understand the situation at the club and personally I don't feel let down by him," he said.

"If you ask the majority of the boys they thoroughly enjoyed working with Neil.

"We didn't see him but a fair number of boys spoke to him on the phone.

"He wished us well and we have said the same to him, Mick Jones and Keith Curle."