Freedman: We need to improve

2:41pm Wednesday 5th March 2008

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DOUGIE Freedman called for his Crystal Palace team-mates to show more quality and control in front of the Selhurst faithful after the Eagles' disappointing goalless draw with Cardiff City on Tuesday.

Cardiff had the better of a largely uneventful first half with the best chance falling to leggy striker Paul Parry, whose header was palmed onto the post by a flawless Julian Speroni.

The home team failed to notch one shot on target during the first half.

Cardiff continued to dominate in the early stages of the second half.

Right-back Kevin McNaughton brushed past three Palace players before blazing over from inside the 18-yard box and substitute Aaron Ramsey was denied by another stunning Speroni save.

With 10 minutes remaining, Palace's best chance fell to Clinton Morrison who mis-guided a free-header over the bar from six-yards.

Second half substitute Freedman admitted his side could have few complaints with a share of the spoils afterwards.

The Scottish veteran striker said: "We have to show more quality.

"We have to be more controlling on the ball so we can dominate teams at home and we have a great opportunity to start doing this against Colchester on Saturday.

"Cardiff are a good side. We haven't got the right to just turn up and win a football match.

"We have definitely played a lot better than that."

Freedman added: "In the first half, they completely dominated. We finished quite strongly but I think a draw was probably the right result.

"Cardiff may feel little bit gutted they didn't take all three points but we are happy with the point because it's important not to get beat."

The Palace legend also put any rumours of a loan move to Leeds United to bed.

He said: "I had the opportunity to go and play some football at Leeds, but I decided to stay here.

"I'm not 19 anymore and I can't just jump into the car with four kids and a wife.

"Don't get me wrong, I do want to play football but I am still getting on the bench and getting opportunities at Palace so it wasn't quite right for me.

"I still believe I have got something in me and I really enjoy playing at Selhurst Park. I want to just concentrate on Crystal Palace because we have 10 games left."

Eagles boss Neil Warnock admitted he is finding it a difficult task bringing fresh blood into the Selhurst set-up.

He said: "It's difficult. No one wants to come to poor old Neil and his Crystal Palace.

"We will just have to get on with what we've got.

"It's frustrating. However, it is pointless bringing in players who aren't as good as the young kids.

"If I could have got a Scott Sinclair, then that would have been fabulous.

"If we can't get that kind of quality then we will stick with what we've got."