 Friday, 17th Apr 2009 14:34 It’s interesting to see that Billy Davies thinks the Rams could still go down on 51 points - while Forest could stay up with 47? Crystal Palace v Derby County Any result here against Colin’s boys would surely seal survival for Nigel Clough’s team? Palace are two points ahead of the Rams and look comfortable in mid table. It’s possible they are too comfortable and the players may think they are on holiday already. They haven’t won in six games and went down 1-0 to struggling Southampton last Monday. They’ve only won 3 in the last 18 and defender Clint Hill has had enough. Calling for an end of season push he said; "When I came here we had a lot of good players and were pushing, looking to get up there. But we haven't got a Clinton Morrison or a Ben Watson to pull something out of the bag. It's something that we'll have to look for next season." Hill was referring to the fact that the Eagles have failed to follow on from their play off place last season. He went on to bemoan the financial situation that has left Colin unable to add any quality to the squad; "Unfortunately, the way the finances have gone, we've had to get rid of those players and it does affect you, no matter what people say, it affects you. Colin himself echoed those sentiments after Monday’s defeat at Southampton; "We could have been playing all night and not scored. We did not have enough quality. The fans know how hard I work to get the points, and I think we have done really well with the squad we have. “ One player who wont be featuring tomorrow is on loan centre half Claude Davis - currently the object of an FA probe following an elbow incident - who is ineligible as part of his loan agreement. Some fans might have preferred him to actually play! Also missing will be Shaun Derry, Paul Ifill and Sean Scannell, while John Oster and Neil Danns are doubtful. Eagles facts 1 GK Julián Speroni Games since... Leading Scorers… The Rams Nigel Clough it would appear shares Billy Davies’s belief that the Rams haven’t done enough yet to stay up; “Four games to go and one win or two draws should [keep us up]. It's not a bad position to be in. But until you get over that line there will always be an element of nerves involved. Our two home games give us the best chance, but if we can get a result at Palace it will make those last three games somewhat easier." The injury crisis at Derby shows no sign of abating with Jay McEveley joining the list of players out for the rest of the season. Jordan Stewart is unlikely to replace him as he appears to be injured so Lewin Nyatanga could end up at left back. Clough was highly critical of the back four after last weeks defeat by Wolves and said; “If you look at the three goals we conceded, I thought they were all avoidable. There were some poor decisions and poor defending.” Clough was also scathing of the forwards pointing out they didn’t do enough. Given as the season ticket sales are going well, the fans have the right to expect an improvement in the quality of players on show and so far only Jay McEveley and Dean Leacock seem to be featuring in the plans at the back. Some of the other players such as Savage are unlikely to feature next season and it’s hard to see that any of the loans have worked out. Clough will have a very short summer to sort all this out. Mick’s team: Bywater, Connolly, Albrechtsen, Todd, Nyatanga, Eustace, Savage, Kazmierczak, Teale, Hulse, Commons. What the bookies think Palace are 6/5 favourites while the Rams are at 15/8. The draw is at 21/10. Favourite to score is Shefki Kuqi 7/4 while the Rams strikers are at 15/8. Information for travelling fans Driving: This is my least favourite journeys as a football fan. It takes forever to get there and back from and the ground is in one of the least inspiring parts of the country. Its 140 miles down the M1 to the M25.Take the M25 anti-clockwise to J7 then and follow the signs for the A23 to Croydon. At Purley bear left onto the A23 at its junction with the A 235 (to Croydon). You will pass roundabouts and junctions with the A232 and A236 as you pass Croydon, after which the A23 bears left at Thornton Heath (at the Horseshoe pub roundabout). Here you must go straight over, into Brigstock Road (B266), passing Thornton Heath Station on your left and bearing right on to the High Street. At the next mini roundabout, (Whitehorse Road/Grange Road) go left into Whitehorse Lane. The ground is on your right. Parking: Most of the street parking that used to be available is now resident only however there are now some pay and display car parks in the area. Drinking: lots of places to drink around Selhurst and it’s one of the few places left were home and away fans seem to mingle. There are a few Wetherspoons outlets in the area. Mick’s Prediction We always seem to do badly here - and also against Colin’s teams. We seem to be unable to defend however if we can score, the Eagles seem to have a problem replying… we could get at least the point we require.
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