December 1 2004

Andy Johnson

After heading home his ninth Premiership goal of the season against the Saints Andrew Johnson revealed to the Guardian that Crystal Palace's fitness coach John Harbin had foreseen it, by Neil McSteen.

Johnson said after the game: "John Harbin said at the start of November that I've got a feeling you'll score a header this month.

"After the goal today I've given him a little point in celebration.

"John has a knack of saying things and they just happen"

The 23-year-old also admitted that his first headed goal of the season had given him special pleasure especially after being on the end of constant mickey taking from team mates Johnson said: "I've had a bit of stick from the boys along the lines of Any chance of scoring a header?'"

Johnson knows that as the main focus of attack, Palace have to play a passing game to maximise his goal scoring opportunities.

But AJ has been pleasantly surprised about the openings he is getting under the attractive style of football Iain Dowie has Palace playing.

"I said chances in the Premiership would be harder and few and far between.

"But if the boys give me chances I've always got confidence I can score.

"I'm not surprised by how many goals I've been scoring but that is credit to the team. Wayne Routledge, Joonas Kolkka, Michael Hughes and Ben Watson they've been putting the ball on a plate for me and I've been banging them in."