[h=3]Play-off countdown: Palace relish 'awesome' derby showdown[/h]11:00am Friday 10th May 2013 in Albion By Brian Owen
Liam Bridcutt in the thick of it against Palace
Ian Holloway believes Crystal Palace can atone for their recent defeat at The Amex – by qualifying for the “biggest game on the planet”.
Palace host Albion in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final tonight.
The Eagles lost 3-0 at The Amex in March early in a winless run which extended to nine games.
But they beat Peterborough 3-2 last Saturday and Holloway reckons they have come through the toughest times.
The Palace boss said of the play-offs: “This is the biggest game on the planet apart from perhaps the Champions League final.
“The excitement is completely awesome. I know under Dowie we had that fantastic run the last time we did it.
“I do know what this game means and so do the lads. We have an opportunity to put things right for the fans.
“This is the best chance to show the Palace faithful what we are all about. The chance to do it is completely awesome and a great rivalry between the two clubs is adding more to the match. Everyone is up for it.”
Holloway does not see victory tonight as essential, despite Palace’s poor away record.
He added: “It would be nice to have a lead after the home game but not vital and over the two games the situation will change so many times.
“We are in there fighting. We have lived through some adversity recently. This group deserve this chance.”
Original article
Ian Holloway believes Crystal Palace can atone for their recent defeat at The Amex – by qualifying for the “biggest game on the planet”.
Palace host Albion in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final tonight.
The Eagles lost 3-0 at The Amex in March early in a winless run which extended to nine games.
But they beat Peterborough 3-2 last Saturday and Holloway reckons they have come through the toughest times.
The Palace boss said of the play-offs: “This is the biggest game on the planet apart from perhaps the Champions League final.
“The excitement is completely awesome. I know under Dowie we had that fantastic run the last time we did it.
“I do know what this game means and so do the lads. We have an opportunity to put things right for the fans.
“This is the best chance to show the Palace faithful what we are all about. The chance to do it is completely awesome and a great rivalry between the two clubs is adding more to the match. Everyone is up for it.”
Holloway does not see victory tonight as essential, despite Palace’s poor away record.
He added: “It would be nice to have a lead after the home game but not vital and over the two games the situation will change so many times.
“We are in there fighting. We have lived through some adversity recently. This group deserve this chance.”
Original article