September 29 2008

Neil Warnock

Neil Warnock admits he is suprised at how slow his Crystal Palace youngsters have started the new campaign.

The Palace boss transformed the Eagles from relegation fodder to the brink of the Premier League when he took over from Peter Taylor last term.

He brought in a number of talented kids from the Academy such as Victor Moses, Lee Hills and Sean Scannell who helped contribute to Palace's surge into the play-offs.

However, Palace have failed to carry on from last season's achievements and a poor start has seen them collect just one league victory and that has left Warnock frustrated.

"I haven't had a problem with the training, that’s been quite sharp. There have been a lot of factors," said Warnock.

"The young lads have come back and not been as strong. They started the season very sluggishly. I thought they would have set off electric in pre-season but it was the opposite.

"You can’t really criticise them because they are trying their best. They’ve had to play through that."

Young winger Scannell admits Championship defenders have been paying him special attention after his excellent displays last season.

He said: "I think there is some truth in the fact that defenders have sussed the likes of Victor and myself out a little bit - I think that was always going to happen.

"What that means is that I have to adapt my game and if I can work hard on that then that will help me get back in the team on a regular basis.

"Last season defenders didn’t really know me - but now they know me they pay me a lot more attention - some give me a bit more room and others get tighter.

"But I look at it as a positive thing because it shows that they are worried about me."