Watson targets 2004 repeat

11:30am Tuesday 6th May 2008

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BEN Watson has drawn parallels with Crystal Palace's late surge to the play-offs with the 2004 promotion winning side after Sunday's 5-0 win against Burnley.

The Eagles went into the last day of the league campaign knowing victory against the Clarets would guarantee a place in the end of season lottery.

Neil Warnock's side certainly didn't disappoint and an early penalty from Watson set them on their way to a comfortable success and a two-legged meeting with Bristol City.

Watson may only still be 22, but it seems a long time ago when he first burst on to the Selhurst scene as a member of the Palace team which went up via the play-offs four years ago and the midfield ace is now looking to repeat the achievement in 2008.

He said: "It is exactly the same as we've done.

"When Iain Dowie took over we were in exactly the same position as when Neil Warnock took over.

"We got in the play-offs in the last game of the season that year and went on to win it.

"That is then, this is now and the team is completely different. There is only a few of us left and it is down to us because we've not achieved anything and we've got to achieve something.

"When the gaffer took over, if you had said we had to win to get in the play-offs on the last game of the season we would have taken that."

The Eagles will feel confident going into their double header with Bristol City having already taken four points off their rivals this season.

Watson admits he is just happy to be involved at all, but says there is still plenty of work to be done before his side can experience the glamour and riches of the top flight again.

He said: "I'm excited more than anything. We weren't expected to be here and now we are here.

"Obviously we haven't achieved anything yet, but it was a great win against Burnley and hopefully it will be the same next weekend.

"We go into every game thinking we can win it.

"Bristol are a good team, if they weren't a good team then they wouldn't be in the play-offs because they've been up there all season.

"We've beaten them and drew with them so hopefully it will be the same again."

He added: "We have not achieved anything yet. Everyone knows that, the gaffer knows that and it is down to us now.

"Let's go and achieve something and get in the Premier League because it is where everyone wants to play and hopefully we can do that.

"We weren't expected to be here, but now we are in there you've got to give it your best shot.

"The pressure might come on us and we might be expected to win it now.

"Neil's record in the play-offs is awesome and hopefully this will be another one."