November 3 2006

Carl Fletcher

Carl Fletcher reckons just one victory will revitalise Crystal Palace's season.

Palace have hit a nightmare spell in which they've won two of their last 13 matches and slipped to 18th in the Championship.

But skipper Fletcher is confident the Eagles' slump will end soon because the quality of the squad is too good.

He said: "Any sort of win could kick-start our season, and we're hoping it comes against QPR on Saturday. As easily as it turns bad it can turn good.

"Football's so unpredictable like that - it's why so many people watch it. It only takes one result to turn things round, and you're flying again.

"We're stuck in a bit of a rut at the minute. But we know we've got enough quality in the squad to pull us through. Nothing's given to you in this league - you have to earn it. We have to keep believing we can turn things around."

Fletcher draws parallels from the the time he was at West Ham when the Hammers hit a bad patch, only to recover and win promotion to the Premiership.

"The situation here now is similar to the one I was in at West Ham back then," he said.

"There was a lot of pressure on the players, and in the end it turned out for the best. But these things take time - they don't just happen overnight.

"Hard work and determination saw us through then, and it's going to take the same qualities here at Palace. The lads all know what's required, and we're right behind the manager."