April 17 2008

Tom Soares

Crystal Palace midfielder Tom Soares revealed Keith Curle has been the inspiration behind his recent goal glut.

Soares, 21, has found the net three times in the last five matches to bring his tally for five for the season - his best-ever return.

Palace's midfielders had not been contributing enough goals this term and assistant manager Curle warned them it needed to improve.

"Keith Curle had a word with the midfield and said we need to chip in, score more goals and get more shots off in games," said Soares.

"I've been saying for a few years now I need to score more goals from midfield and hopefully I can keep doing that."

With wingmen Scott Sinclair and Victor Moses providing the ammunition and Shaun Derry offering the defensive steel, it has allowed Soares the chance to get into more goalscoring positions.

"You know they [Sinclair and Moses] are going to put it in the box and you've got to try and get in there," said the Eagles Academy graduate.

"Shaun sits in there, he's experienced, he sweeps up everything, playing week in and week out and playing well and he gives me and Ben Watson a license to go and push on, support the front three and he's been different class since he's come back."