Neil Warnock has told his players that Southampton will not be a push over with the departure of their manager and first team players.
Southampton will still have a strong side even after losing a few key players in the transfer window, they will be fighting for places, and will want to keep them once won.
Neil Warnock told the official site: ‘A lot of players will be quite glad that the manager’s gone,’ said Warnock. ‘At every club there are players who would like to see their manager leave – I’m sure there will be those here who would be happy to see the back of me!
‘That’s how football is and you’ll get those lads who will now get their opportunity and will want to show what they can do.
‘I’m not sure that the two that have gone were major players for them. Looking at the squad I don’t think they will miss them – that’s not being disrespectful to the players.
‘They’ve probably got decent deals for them and opportunities will arise for other players so I don’t think that will weaken them.
‘You might miss Rasiak’s goals but overall I think it will be a difficult game because on paper they’re a good team and we have to tread carefully and make sure we’re on our game.’
Warnock went on to explain the departures of three Palace players on transfer deadline day.
‘We just wanted to thin the squad,’ he added. ‘We’ve got one or two young lads coming through and they just weren’t getting opportunities.
‘Besian Idrizaj, although I thought he was heading to Oldham, ended up going back to Austria to play for FC Trivoli because he feels he’s got more opportunity back there to get games which would get him into the Austrian Euro 2008 squad.
‘David Martin is a smashing lad who has been pestering me for first team football but I’ve been unable to give it to him and both Millwall, Brighton and one or two others enquired for him and we decided to listen to offers rather than loan him
Vital Quotes:
‘Leicester almost committed manslaughter on Scowcroft.’
Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock confirms football is a dangerous game.
Crystal Palace Team News:
Paul Ifill is back, and could make the bench, Shefki Kugi is back from his loan spell at Fulham and could replace Jamie Scowcroft who has an achilles injury.
Player to watch: Neil Danns
Would hope he would put in a top class performance to win the fans on his home debut.
Southampton Team News:
Southampton left-back Gregory Vignal won’t play after breaking his arm in Tuesday night’s defeat against Norwich.
Polish striker Saganowski is set to start after Grzegorz Rasiak’s transfer deadline switch to Bolton.
Andrew Davies should return, but Claus Lundekvam (ankle), goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski (back), winger Nathan Dyer and defender Chris Makin (hip) are still sidelined.
Saints: (from) Davis, Wright, Thomas, Davies, O’Halloran, Hammill, Euell, Viafara, Surman, John, Wright-Phillips, Saganowski, McGoldrick, Idiakez, Powell, Lallana, James, Licka, Bialkowski.
Player to watch: Saganowski
Will want to show Saints fans he means business
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Match Prediction:
Sorry Saints I think Palace will be too strong today, they have to get back on a winning run…… 3-0 to Palace
Next Fixtures:
Charlton v Crystal Palace Fri 8th of Feb 7:45pm