Palace v Watford

Selhurst Park, Monday 8.00pm

Story so far

The last time we played Watford at home, we had the Sky cameras, an England international and plenty of complacency. I won't go into details but 3-0 with Young, King and Spring on the scoresheet should give everyone enough to go by.

This time we play Watford, it is they who have just been relegated, they who are scoring goals for fun and they look like they have a better chance of pulling themselves back into the top flight than we ever did after relegation.

Watford have hardly altered their team since their predictable relegation from the Premier League. They've spent money on two players - Jobi McAnuff, who we all know and love, for nearly £2million and Nathan Ellington, who is struggling to get any game time,which is disappointing for a spend of over £3million.

They come into the game high on confidence and full of goals - something that the current Palace team lack in abundance. Can this be a turning point for our beloved team or will this be a repeat of the Wigan humilation that we all try to forget?

Nevertheless, Neil Warnock has already done his best to poly-filler the gaps in the squad. Our very own Acorn Winkle has just brought in French Winger Franck Songo'o which could add a huge attacking impetus to our meagre forward play.

Not only that, but Warnock has done what Taylor feared - he's named youngsters in his squad. Fifteen-year-old John Bostock, who is eligable to play as he is affiliated to an academy, has been called into the squad for the first time.

Warnock has already stated his admiration for the young full-back, Lee Hills, who has also been called up to the first team squad.

Team news

French winger FRANCK Songo'o is set to make his Palace debut after signing on a month's loan from Portsmouth.

Academy stars John Bostock, Lee Hills and Moses Swaibu have also been named in the squad for the first time.

If Bostock plays, the 15-year-old, will become the youngest Palace player to make a league appearance since Phil Hoadley in 1968.

Tom Soares will complete the second of a three-mtach ban following his recent red card, whil Ben Watson (ankle) and Victor Moses (leg) are still out injured.

Watford are likely to name an unchanged side with midfielder Lee Williamson still banned.

Quotes

Warncok said: "I've said I'd like to give the players four or five games but I might not be that patient.

"I have to believe in myself that I can change and bring the players here that I think can help and I know the type I'm looking for.

"There are some good ones here but on Tuesday (in the 3-1 defeat against Stoke) we showed that we need a little bit more."

Boothroyd said: "I have very good memories of Selhurst Park, although I think it will be a very different game this time.

"I'm expecting them to come out all guns blazing. They are a team who start very well and they have got some very, very good players.

"You don't become a bad team overnight and if anyone is going to rejuvenate them and give them that nastiness and organisation then it will be Neil. We know we are in for a very tough game."

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Watford - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
1st	12	9	2	1	29

Full league table

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Watford - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
5	4	1	0	10	3

Full form table

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Our home record v Watford

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
48	25	10	13	85	49

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Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
09/05/2006	League	Watford	0 - 0	Crystal Palace
06/05/2006	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 3	Watford
31/03/2006	League	Crystal Palace	3 - 1	Watford
31/12/2005	League	Watford	1 - 2	Crystal Palace
17/01/2004	League	Watford	1 - 5	Crystal Palace

All time results

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One to watch

Adam Johnson

Adam Johnson is, what can only be described as, a proper left winger. The 20-year-old is on loan from Middlesbrough, for whom he has already appeared in the Premier League and Europe.

He has pace in abundance, the ability to take men on, an eye for goal and the supplier of the perfect cross.

He's been encouraged to express himself on the pitch and that is exactly what he does. He will stick to the byline, beat his defender for pace and produce something - a goal, cross, assist - anything. He has an end product that kills teams off.

He said: "I love attacking players. It's exciting for the fans, they love to see players who get at the opposition and that's my game. My game is to create for others."

There's no doubt that this young lad will soon be above Stewart Downing in the pecking order for both Boro and England. He is a true talent.

Ref watch

K Stroud

Last meeting

Watford 0-0 Palace

Tuesday May 09 2006

Watford: Foster, Doyley, Mackay, DeMerit, Stewart, Spring, Bangura, Mahon, Chambers (Chamberlain ,75), Young, King

Subs not used: Eagles, McNamee, Mariappa, Henderson

Yellow: Bangura

Palace: Kiraly, Borrowdale, Hall, Popovic (Reich, 69), Boyce, Soares, Hughes (Watson, 45), Leigertwood, McAnuff, Johnson, Freedman (Macken, 58)

Subs not used: Hudson, Andrews

Yellow: Hall

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