DEADLINE day signing Stephen Dobbie is no stranger to promotion and believes Crystal Palace have exactly what it takes to step up after securing a crucial win over play-off rivals Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Dobbie signed from Brighton last month and is ideally qualified to know what it will take for the Eagles to win promotion to the Premier League having appeared in the last three Championship play-off finals.

The Scot was successful with both Blackpool in 2010 and Swansea in 2011, but missed out the third time last May in his second loan spell with the Tangerines as they were beaten 2-1 at Wembley by West Ham.

Dobbie said: “This time of the year, you have to put a run together and luckily enough with Swansea and Blackpool, we managed to and go up through the play-offs.

“I can see similarities between this team and the Swansea and Blackpool teams I was promoted with.

“It’s the same system as the gaffer used before and the same system Brendan Rodgers played as well and the motivation side of things is the same as well.

“We’ve got a great chance of automatic, but if that doesn’t work out I’m sure we’ll be in the play-offs.

“To finish your career with a medal or two medals like I have is to know you’ve achieved something.

“That was the most important thing for me over the past few years and if I can help the boys here do the same, then that would be great.”

Dobbie, who Ian Holloway describes as the cherry on top of his cake, has been instrumental in Palace’s welcome return to form since his arrival and the 30-year-old is excited by opportunity to get some games under his belt after a difficult time at Brighton.

He added: “Any footballer will tell you that it isn’t nice sitting on the bench or in the stands watching the game.

“So when I heard the gaffer was after me, I jumped at the chance and I am relishing every minute on the pitch.”

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt