November 13 2000

Crystal Palace

Former Crystal Palace striker Leon McKenzie revealed that he was shocked to have been shown the door by The Eagles at the start of the season. McKenzie has been doing well for Peterborough United since joining them a few months ago.

Leon McKenzie was told by the Selhurst Park club that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season so he decided to leave and so he joined Peterborough United.

The youngster said that Palace manager Alan Smith is to blame for his departure from the club.

He believes that if Steve Coppell would not have left the Eagles he would still be playing at the club.

McKenzie said: "After he left, I never got on with the staff. I was playing okay but was in and out of the side.

"I didn't get a fair chance. Now I want to show them what they are missing. I'm still in touch with Steve and the goals I get are for him," he added.

Meanwhile, Alan Smith is hoping to see how good his side can be over the next few weeks following Saturday's 3-1 win at Molineux.

The Eagles are now fourth from bottom and there is now only a five-point gap between them and middle of the table Barnsley.

Smith commented: "I believe we are now becoming a very good side. The potential here is frightening, but I hope to see how good we can actually become over the next few weeks.

"But at the moment I don't know how good we are going to be."