Stephen Browett says Crystal Palace are much better placed to bring the right players into the club during the January transfer window now that Iain Moody is in town.

According to the co-chairman, circumstances and a lack of experience contrived against Palace during the summer’s dealings, but this time they are ready and this time, Moody brings the experience.

Browett reckons up to five new names will be brought in after the Christmas holidays, while there are likely to be departures as well.

But whether players are coming or going, the Tony Pulis and Iain Moody duo are fully backed by Browett.

He said: “Steve [Parish] and Ian [Holloway] worked incredibly hard over the summer, but Steve was doing a job new to him, and Ian was in a new position of being promoted to the Premier League and being told you have cash to spend.

“We were promoted late because of the play-offs so we did not have the time to scout for new players as they were playing.

“Iain Moody was the man we did not have in the summer that we should have had.

“He has an amazing football knowledge – if you say you want a really obscure player, say a left-footed right back who is 5ft 11in tall and speaks French, Iain will give you a list of four or five and the credentials of each one.”

He added: “Given that knowledge, and the fact Tony [Pulis] knows what kind of player he wants to bring in, we are well placed.”

Browett has also backed the arrival of Gerry Francis as a face in the background of Pulis’ Palace revolution.

The former England captain and top-flight manager of 18 years experience has become an Eagles consultant, but he is not paid by the club.

Browett said: “Gerry brings huge experience to the club, he knows about football.

“He helps Tony at the training ground a couple of times a week, and he is Tony’s eyes and ears in the stand on match day.

“He also does a bit of scouting for new players, as well as scouting the opposition.”