January 27 2005

Iain Dowie

Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie has heaped praise on Uruguayan centre-back Gonzalo Sorondo after another accomplished display against Spurs, by Stuart Pink.

Sorondo missed three games over the new year period due to a hamstring injury.

But his return to the side has shored up the Palace defence and Dowie is happy his early season swoop for the defender seems to be paying off handsomely.

Dowie said: "I went to watch Bolton play Inter Milan and I just loved the way he was, the way he read the game. He was quite tenacious, a very front foot defender, with good pace and comfortable on the ball.

"I said to Bob Dowie let's have a look if he's available' and he was."

The 25-year-old defender was struggling to get first team football at Inter Milan and spent last season on loan to Belgian side Standard Liege, before Dowie stepped in and offered him the chance to play in the Premiership on a season-long loan deal.

But Sorondo, who has 26 caps, has adapted more than admirably and Dowie has been impressed by his displays in the first team.

Dowie said: "I think the performance against Spurs last month was one of the best performances I have seen by a centre-half for a long while, I thought his display was tremendous and his all round play on the ball was superb.

"Him and Fitz are starting to get a partnership."

Dowie has also praised another of his pre-season signings Gabor Kiraly, who has been one of Palace's most consistent performers this campaign.

The 28-year-old Hungarian has become a cult figure at Selhurst Park since his free transfer from Hertha Berlin and has appeared in every Premiership game since he took over from Julian Speroni against Aston Villa in September.

Dowie added: "He's been fantastic for us, he's certainly been among the best keepers in the Premiership this year."

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