Palace's £2.4million striker Ade Akinbiyi has admitted that he is struggling with Trevor Francis' 4-3-3 formation, and that he is quite happy to sit on the bench and wait for his chance.

Akinbiyi has been the subject of merciless taunts from Eagles fans in recent matches, despite breaking his Palace duck at Barnsley a fortnight ago.

Francis has recently dropped the fruitless 4-3-3 system which saw some lacklustre displays from his new striker, and Akinbiyi sees that as a good move, even if it means dropping to the bench.

He told the Guardian: "I would say being on the bench has taken some of the pressure off me. I personally think 4-4-2 is the best system and if Trevor Francis is going to drop anyone it's got to be me because Clinton and Dougie have been in top form."

"I don't really know where to go or to make my runs with a 4-3-3, cause I don't really look at myself as a target man."

"They are both goal-scorers so they make the same runs as me, and most of the time we have been getting in each other's way. We've just got to work at it a lot in training."

The former Leicester striker is happy at Palace despite the jeers that have greeted his appearance on the touchline.

He said: "I just get on with it. There's no point in listening to them. If they are just going to be negative it's up to them, if they're positive that's great. I hope it turns around, I just want them to get behind the team, it's all not about me, getting into the play-offs is the most important thing."

"I fitted in here early on, because I knew most of the players anyway.

"The team spirit's good, but we've just got to get our attitude right and start winning the home games."

March 13, 2002 11:30