VETERAN defender Danny Gabbidon has issued a rallying call to Crystal Palace fans to help the team secure the points needed to book a play-off spot.
The Eagles have occupied a top six place since September and had until recently set their sights on the automatic promotion place.
But a sharp drop in form in recent weeks has seen Ian Holloway’s side in danger of dropping out of the play-off zone with just three games remaining.
The recent run has led to some unrest among sections of the club’s support, but Gabbidon has urged fans to rally around the team and help them over the line.
He exclaimed: “The fans will be crucially important for the run in.
“We are all trying to achieve the same thing but I can understand that the last couple of games haven’t been too great.
“But we are going out there and doing the best we can and giving it our all.
“I understand their frustrations at the moment but it is a crazy league and it is so hard to be consistent.
“But that is what we were doing earlier in the season and we need to get back to that because we are just struggling a bit to get over the line.
“The fans will play a massive part in helping us get those extra points we need because they’ve been great all season and have helped us get to where we are now, so we need the more than ever for the next three games.”
Gabbidon scored Palace’s opener in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against play-off rivals Leicester City in what was a rare start this campaign.
And the Welshman is hopeful of playing a full part in those games after a frustrating season which has seen his playing time severely limited by injury.
He said: “It has been a stop-start season for me because I joined late when the team was doing really well and I couldn’t get into the team, which was understandable.
“Then when I did force my way in I picked up and injury, which was disappointing, so I’d like to stay in the team if I can but the other lads will also want that place.
“Rambo (Peter Ramage) and Damien Delaney have been fantastic this season, they’re a big part of the reason we are where we are in the league.
“We all get on well off the field and we want each other to do well but, of course, from my personal point of view I would like to keep my place for the next game.”
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