December 6 2006

Dougie Freedman

Dougie Freedman reckons he can strike up a partnership with Shefki Kuqi and revive Palace's promotion bid.

Both forwards are in superb form and were instrumental in the victories over Wolves and QPR in the last two matches.

Kuqi came off the bench to set up fellow sub Freedman to net a late equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw at Wolves.

The Finnish international put Freedman through for the first goal in the 3-0 win over QPR on Saturday and Freedman returned the favour for Kuqi, before Clinton Morrison completed the rout.

Freedman has backed Kuqi, signed on transfer deadline day from Blackburn, to deliver the goods after a difficult start to his Palace career.

He said: "Having joined us for £2.5 million in the summer I think the management thought he was going to deliver straight away, but that didn't happen and maybe he lost a bit of confidence because it's never easy at a new club.

"But on Saturday he showed what he could do by scoring a great goal. There are signs that we are starting to form a good understanding because he set my goal up and returned the favour to him.

"Obviously starting only three games this season is disappointing, but I'm pleased to have scored in my last two games and hopefully I can now keep my place in the side.

"We've known all along that we are a good side, it was just a question of producing the form that we knew we were capable of."

Freedman refuses to rule out Palace making the Championship play-offs, but admits it's going to be a tough task.

"If you do the sums it is certainly still possible but it's going to be difficult," he said. "However, if we continue to play well and pick up points consistently we are more than capable, it's a question of reproducing the form we've showed over the last few matches.

"As for predicting we'll make the play-offs, ask me again in March, then I'll put my neck on the line."