NEIL Warnock believes the momentum of reaching the play-offs with victory on the final day of the season against Burnley could propel his Crystal Palace side to the riches of the Premiership.
The Eagles know three points against the Clarets on Sunday at Selhurst Park will book their place in the end of season lottery and the manager is convinced his in-form squad could go all the way.
He said: "If we get in the play-offs, we've got a great chance, make no mistake about that. I don't think we fear anybody in the league.
"The hardest thing on Sunday is going to be getting in the play-offs.
"That final step is always the hardest part, but I think whoever finishes in sixth position will have a great chance if I'm honest. It is just one of those things.
"The expectations of the other teams above us have all been for automatic promotion, but from ourselves and downwards I don't think anybody has ever been anywhere near automatic.
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"It is a good battle and last weekend kept it in the boil so we have a full house."
Palace currently hold the final position despite last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Hull City, a rare loss for the Eagles.
However, it is victories at the likes of Stoke and Watford which have left the club's fate in their own hands and Warnock praised his players for their form on the road.
He explained: "When you look at the record of the lads, it has been quite phenomenal away from home to put us in this position.
"As I've said earlier and people thought I was joking, I felt Stoke, Watford and Hull away were good games to have.
"With a little bit more fortune last weekend we probably would have got something at Hull as well.
"Hopefully Scowcroft and Fletcher will be in the squad this weekend whereas we didn't really have any sort of options last week to match the physical aspect of Hull. Those two are coming on well.
"Overall it has been a very satisfying few months for everyone."
Warnock's first priority when he succeed Peter Taylor in October was to preserve Palace's Championship status and the boss admits he never imagined promotion could be on the cards instead.
He said: "It is an amazing turnaround and the lads have been quite fantastic really, not just the younger group who have come in and been like signing new players but the older lads have responded as well.
"They've been very, very good at encouraging the youngsters through. We've had little hiccups here and there and we've had a couple of great runs.
"Make no mistake, there is nothing like the pressure at the bottom of the league. It is nothing like this.
"You've got to relax really when you look at the four clubs with us chasing the play-offs.
"There is Watford, Wolves, Ipswich and Sheffield United and they should all be there, shouldn't they? So we've got to enjoy it while we've got the opportunity."
Crystal Palace have only conceded 42 goals this season, making their defence the meanest in the whole division.
But the manager does not necessarily feel all the credit should be placed on his backline.
He explained: "Everybody seems to say that, but with me being a forward I can tell you your first line of your defence is your attack.
"We work very, very hard up front and I always use Ian Rush as a yardstick but some of my lads are not old enough to remember him.
"He was a top international player who used to work his socks off.
"There is no excuse for not working or reason why you don't work and that is one element I ask all my players to give.
"When they do that, we are a very hard side to play against."
If the Eagles are to make the play-offs on the final day, comparisons will inevitably be made with the side Iain Dowie transformed from relegation strugglers to eventual promotion winners in 2004.
But the present boss is not so convinced by the argument because of the different financial constraints he has had to work under.
Warnock added: "I think it is entirely different and I'm not being disrespectful.
"The squad which went up four years ago was fantastic.
"With Andy Johnson alone I think we would have gone up straight away with someone of that calibre.
"They had an excellent group of players, so it didn't surprise me in the least when they went up.
"This year it has been a little bit different with circumstances because we haven't had a lot of money.
"The only signing of any substance, Neil Danns, has been injured since I signed him, so I think the lesson is go with the kids and don't spend your money which I'm sure the chairman is quite happy about."
Palace AY??? Whats to like about your club, your chairman is an 80s throwback with his blonde rinse and perma tan and as for Warnock, I ve never disliked a Northern Monkey more in my life. CPFC your to be pitited.
Palace AY??? Whats to like about your club, your chairman is an 80s throwback with his blonde rinse and perma tan and as for Warnock, I ve never disliked a Northern Monkey more in my life. CPFC your to be pitited.
There is nothing to like about Palace.. your chairman is an orange idiot, you don't own your ground, your fans are idiots and yes I am bitter towards your club over the incident at Selhurst this season.. nothing but cowards attacking innocent fans and its good to see that those people were banged up..
I hope to play you again next season and beat you home and away!
There is nothing to like about Palace.. your chairman is an orange idiot, you don't own your ground, your fans are idiots and yes I am bitter towards your club over the incident at Selhurst this season.. nothing but cowards attacking innocent fans and its good to see that those people were banged up..
I hope to play you again next season and beat you home and away!
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