January 18 2004

Iain Dowie

Iain Dowie was overjoyed as Palace recorded their biggest win of the season with the 5-1 thumping of Watford.

The result was especially pleasing with Dowie having a number of players missing through injury. With centre-backs Kit Symons, Tony Popovic and Darren Powell all ruled out, Mark Hudson made his debut on loan from Fulham.

The Palace boss said: "We were down to bare bones and included three 18 year olds in the squad along with Tom Soares from our Academy on the bench. The lads all worked their socks off and gave a very good team effort.

"At the back I had Mark Hudson making his first appearance and I felt he did well. He is a lad who competes well both in the air and on the ground.

"We knew that Heidar Helguson was always going to be a threat and I thought Mark coped with him as well as I have seen anyone when I have watched Watford."

Dowie was full of praise for wantaway winger Julian Gray, who bagged the Eagles' fourth goal with a classy run and finish.

"We scored our goals at critical times and produced some clinical finishing," said Dowie. "Gray produced a great strike for the fourth goal.

"It was a special goal from a special player, I have just said that there are only two people in our dressing room who could produce a goal as good as that, Julian and me!

"I thought our fans were magnificent, we had 2,300 over here today and they made it seem like a home game for us.

"It is pleasing to see the continued improvement game on game as we work hard in training to produce the required standards."