April 13 2009

Neil Warnock

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock slated his shot shy team after the 1-0 defeat at lowly Southampton.

Palace rarely threatened the Saints goal and only looked like scoring right at the end as David McGoldrick netted the only goal of the game to give his side slim hope of staying up.

Warnock said: "We could have been playing all night and not scored. We did not have enough quality but the fans know how hard I work to get the points, and I think we have done really well with the squad we have.

"I am disappointed we didn't create more really. The goal was befitting their performance, they deserved it."

The Palace manager added: "It is hard for us at the moment and is difficult when you haven't got a lot to play for. I don't think the lads could have given much more. Paddy McCarthy was breathing through his backside after two games in 48 hours.

"He will now have two days off and then if we can get three more games out of him it will set him up nicely for the summer in preparation for coming back next season. It was good to give James Comley his first start and I wasn't disappointed with him, although naturally he looked tired near the end."

Julian Speroni had to have stitches on an eye wound after Andrew Sturman lunged in on the goalkeeper which meant defender Clint Hill had to deputise in goal.

Warnock said: "Julian Speroni has been super today, the challenge was a bit naughty but if he was my player I would have told him to have gone in like that, I don't like goalkeepers!

"Julian just needed some attention so I said to the physio that is fine we will play with ten men for a while. He had to have a few stitches. Clint Hill did well in his short spell in goal, infact I have told him I am going to get him a shirt made now."