February 26 2006

Iain Dowie

Iain Dowie singled out Ben Watson for glowing praise after his super-show against Norwich.

Watson set up Andy Johnson's opener, scored one himself and then laid on the last goal in the 4-1 rout of Nigel Worthington's Canaries.

The midfielder, 20, had impressed against Millwall last weekend but he was even better at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Dowie said: "Ben was colossal. I always believed he would be a top player and he is starting to show what he is capable of.

"We work with him in training and see his range of passing, what's pleasing about the first goal was how he dropped the ball in for the striker.

"It was a fantastic pass with the outside of his boot, AJ said it just sat up in front for him, you know the result when he gets there.

"He's got everything in his game and we're delighted to have him."

Dowie was delighted with the way his side adapted to a tricky pitch and said: "I thought we were excellent, particularly in the first half and then for 25 minutes of the second half.

"On a difficult surface I thought we passed the ball very well."