December 29 2005

Iain Dowie

IAIN DOWIE has told his Palace players not to settle for the play-offs.

Goals from Clinton Morrison and Darren Ward gave Palace a second success over Christmas after a disappointing five-match winless run.

DOWIE is convinced Palace can still clinch automatic promotion and said: "We have got to believe we are capable of getting clean sheets and climbing this league.

"Now it is up to us to put our own winning streak together and I am optimistic we can chase down Sheffield United.

"If the lads have this attitude, we will be a difficult force to stop.

"I wouldn't pretend that we were fantastic but we could have beaten Derby by five goals at least.

"At times we haven't worked hard enough in games but we have started to get a bit more grit and solidity about us.

"I have always said we are an emerging team and over the past few weeks we have improved as a unit.

"It was nice to get a result without a great performance."

DOWIE was also criticial of two penalty appeals against Andy Johnson that were turned down.

He added: "I think we should have had two penalties but they weren't given and maybe refs are thinking differently when Andy Johnson is involved.

"A lot has been said about him but I can tell you he is a fantastic pro and I have never seen him dive."