November 29 2006

Shefki Kuqi

Peter Taylor saluted his secret weapons after Dougie Freedman and Shefki Kuqi combined to salvage a point at Wolves.

Palace were trailing to Lewis Gobern's goal when Taylor threw on substitutes Freedman and Kuqi and his gamble paid off in spectacular fashion.

Kuqi rose above his marker to flick on a long ball and Freeman pounced with a superb volley to earn a 1-1 draw at Molineux.

Taylor is convinced the duo's displays show the quality of his squad and he said: "I think Shefki looked a handful, he's worked exceptionally hard.

"He's been getting in very early every morning doing extra work.

"The way Shefki played today, that's why we bought him, we know he's capable of that.

"He's had a little bit of a struggle, he wasn't match fit when he joined, but I thought today he looked very powerful."

Scottish striker Freedman has struggled to break into the starting line-up this season but Taylor is delighted to have him on the bench.

"Dougie's had a tremendous impact when he's come on," Taylor said.

"In the first game of the season we were 1-0 down at half-time and Dougie came on and changed the game. He did the same in our second game.

"Sometimes it's quite handy to know we can call on someone like him when the opposition are getting tired.

"Dougie's a great player to have coming on, he's a great professional.

"Sometimes you are a bit tempted to keep him back as a sub but obviously he wants to start."