Palace v Barnsley

Selhurst Park, Saturday 5.20pm

Story so far

Both Palace and Barnsley have had a pretty poor start to the season with things taking their time to improve.

We've picked up 7 in 9 points over the last 3 games, which is a decent achievement. Not only have we started to look like we might create chances, we're actually putting a few away!

Barnsley have had it a bit harder than us, mind. Their 4-1 win against Doncaster was the first time they'd scored since August! Hopefully the mauling hasn't got their tails up too much.

The Brian Howard transfer saga is now over. Transfer speculation often causes teams to misfire and this may have been the case with the Tykes. Since his move, Barnsley picked up that 4-1 win. Then again, that could just be a fluke. Hopefully.

For Palace, Fletcher has completed his loan move to Forest. Hopefully there is some sort of recall option to bring him back in case of injuries. Otherwise good luck to him - he should be playing every week but just doesn't fit in to the team at the moment. Plus his wages could be used elsewhere.

Team news

Palace manager Neil Warnock faces an injury problem in defence with defenders Paddy McCarthy (shoulder) and Matt Lawrence (groin) and Danny Butterfield doubtful to play.

On-loan striker Craig Beattie will keep his place up front with the injuries to Alan Lee, Calvin Andrew and James Scowcroft.

Barnsley midfielder Hugo Colace is back from a hamstring injury and hopes to be recalled to the starting 11. Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Iain Hume are in contention for starts.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"It’s been a difficult week. On Tuesday for one reason or another we only had eight players at the training ground.

"So, in that respect, it’s been a nightmare and we are not any closer to getting people back fit. We are still quite a bit away from being where want to be in terms of injuries.

"But, in fairness, Keith Curle took a brilliant session with the eight players, so it’s not all bad. We now have five games in the space of two weeks. With the injuries, we are going to be pushed to the limit again, but it’s been like that all season.

"The game against Barnsley on Saturday will be difficult and I’ve told the lads that. Obviously, they haven’t had the best of starts – but look what happened to us against Plymouth and we certainly don’t want a repeat of that.

"We have to remain concentrated at all times and give our supporters something to jump out of their seats for. We want to build on picking up seven points from a possible nine. We want to get back onto the front foot.

"Apart from two or three sides, this league is much of a muchness – so we are fighting to get everyone fit and we all feel that there’s a lot more to come."

Simon Davey

"The Doncaster game was a pivotal moment for us. When you look at the run we were on, our position in the table and the fact that we were playing against our local rivals it was pivotal moment and I think we answered out critics in the second half.

"We cannot affect what goes on outside the football club and there is always going to be pressure on us. We have to take that in our stride because that kind of pressure is always going to be there. We are a better team this season and we now have to go out there and prove it to everybody.

"Crystal Palace have had a similar start to us having a lot of expectation on them. They reached the play offs but are now starting to put some points on the board. We are confident about going there and getting the right result."

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Barnsley - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
22nd	10	2	2	6	8

Full league table

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Barnsley - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
5	1	2	2	4	5

Full form table

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Our home record v Barnsley

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
25	11	11	3	28	26

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Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
15/03/2008	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 0	Barnsley
08/12/2007	League	Barnsley	0 - 0	Crystal Palace
21/04/2007	League	Barnsley	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
18/11/2006	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 0	Barnsley
26/02/2002	League	Barnsley	1 - 4	Crystal Palace

All time results

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One to watch

Iain Hume

Hume was captured in the summer for a fee of £1.2million. Although a highly inflated fee, that seems to be the going rate for a proven 10-15 goal a season striker.

At 5'7", he's not exactly the biggest player we'll come across but with the intricate link-up play of Jon Macken*, Hume can excel.

He can play up front off of the shoulder of the last defender, a bit deeper to run at defences or even on the wing. We could possibly see him form part of a front three of Campbell-Ryce (who's good at looking half decent with no end product), and Jon Macken.

*Please don't take this bit too seriously.

Ref watch

Mr A Bates.

Last meeting

Palace 2-0 Barnsley

Saturday March 15 2008

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Hudson, Fonte, Hill, Soares, Watson, Derry, Scannell (Robinson 86), Scowcroft, Morrison (Kudjodji 90)

Subs Not Used: Fletcher, Hughes, Hills.

Booked: Speroni

Goals: Soares 46, Scowcroft 83

Barnsley: Steele, Nyatanga, Foster, Souza, Kozluk, Van Homoet (Campbell-Ryce 72), Macken (Coulson 82), Howard, Togwell, Odejayi, Ferenczi (Nardiello 60)

Subs Not Used: Devaney, Leon

Booked: Macken, Nardiello

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