March 28 2006

Jobi McAnuff

JOBI MCANUFF believes Palace are in pole position to win promotion because of their play-off experience.

Defeat at Derby on Saturday means a top two finish is unlikely but Iain Dowie's side are odds-on to claim a play-off place.

Dowie and the majority of his squad have already experienced the play-offs after the Eagles won promotion to the top-flight in 2004.

And former Cardiff winger MCANUFF is certain that will prove decisive when it comes to the nerve-wracking tension of those crucial matches.

He said: "The majority of the squad involved in that campaign are still here and Iain Dowie is still the manager.

"The whole experience of two years ago should stand the club in good stead if we are in the play-offs this time.

"You have to look to gain any advantage you can and many of the players here know what is required to get up to the Premiership from the play-offs."

MCANUFF puts Palace's inconsistent form of recent weeks down to the hectic schedule they have faced.

He added: "There are so many games and often our poor results have come at the end of a few games in a short space of time.

"It's difficult to be at it in every single game and sometimes the opposition are just sharper than you are, especially when you've played a number of games in a short time."