February 17 2007

Clinton Morrison

Clinton Morrison is desperate to prove Peter Taylor wrong by keeping Crystal Palace’s season alive.

Morrison has struggled to convince Eagles boss Taylor to pick him regularly even though he is the club’s joint leading scorer.

The Republic of Ireland star has been so frustrated by the worst season of his career that he has made his feelings know to Taylor on several occasions.

Morrison admits his short fuse has hardly done him any favours but, with Palace’s season on the line, he is set to get a chance against his old club Birmingham today.

He said: "This is definitely the most difficult spell I've had in football. I want to play every week and I know I'm capable of scoring of loads of goals in this division.

“I'm not here just to pick up money and sit on the bench. When I'm not playing I like to voice my opinion. That's how I am and I will never change that until the day I die.

"The manager can see how disappointed I am because my body language is not the best when I'm not playing.

"People see me as a bubbly character but if I'm not playing on a Saturday I am fuming.”

Morrison played for Birmingham boss Steve Bruce at Palace and at St Andrews’ and he admits the former Manchester United star is the best manager he has ever had.

But, despite that, he wants to sink the Blues and show Taylor what Palace have been missing when he has been left out.

Morrison said: "I love Steve Bruce. He brought me to the Premiership and probably made my career. He motivated me and knew how to handle me

"Palace have spent a lot of money and we should be higher than we are. But this is a chance to kick-start our season."