Alan Pardew has told his Crystal Palace side to stick by the characteristics which have brought their surprise successes, as they adjust to playing matches with the pressure of fans expecting the team to win.
Few expected Palace to beat Manchester City on Monday night, but they did 2-1, boosting hopes of a top-10 finish after seven wins in 11 Premier League games under Pardew.
Saturday's trip to Sunderland is followed by home contests with West Brom and Hull and the expectation will be on Palace to prevail.
"It changes the agenda of the team, it changes the pressure," Pardew said. "The pressure on us is now a different one. One of expectation, of (avoiding) complacency and can we cope with those different pressures.
"As a manager you're finding out about your team. What I do know is when the fight comes, when we really have to grind, this team has proven it has got that in it. It's a wonderful quality that they had before I arrived."
Pardew believes even flair players like Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha are working for the team. On Zaha, Pardew said: "We talked about his psychology in terms of being disappointed not to receive possession, switching off.
"Against Man City he did the complete opposite of that. He was diligent, he was sharp to the tackle, he was in his position at all times.
"If you're going to be a wide player in the modern game, particularly in a five-man midfield, not only do you need to score goals and create, but you need to defend.
"The two guys at Bayern Munich (Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery), if they can do it, surely it's good enough for our guys.
"Their performance on Monday was the complete opposite of what you would expect from Bolasie and Zaha. But it just goes to prove that they can do both sides of the game."
Palace's results and performances have exceeded Pardew's own expectations.
"Would I have envisaged we would be on 39 points from when I arrived to now with seven games left? No. The team have been exemplary. I can't put another word that says it better. And I hope that continues until the end."
Asked if he feared relegation when he arrived, Pardew said: "We were two points from the team who were bottom I think, so yes, of course but it was about having faith in my ability, my faith in these players, and we have quickly grown together, and are in a position today which is very pleasing for everybody at the football club."