April 14 2005

Michael Hughes

Michael Hughes admits Saturday's clash with Norwich is a must-win game if the Eagles are to fulfil their aim of staying in the Premiership, by Stuart Pink.

Palace are just three points ahead of the Canaries and so a home win would put more distance between the two sides, plus potentially see the Eagles rise out of the relegation zone.

Asked if it was a must-win game, the Palace captain said: "I would say so, yes. It is not too early to say that.

"I’m not saying that we will go down if we don’t win that game. That is not the case at all, but if we are harbouring any ambitions of staying up then this is a must-win game."

Hughes hopes a Palace victory could be the start of a good run of results that will slowly elevate the Eagles out of trouble, similar to what Blackburn have achieved in recent weeks.

Hughes said: "It is all about confidence and form. Look at Blackburn and look what they have done, they are the perfect example of a struggling team who went on a very good run.

"We maybe have to take a look at them and what they have done. One swallow does not make a summer, but where we are now one win really can change the season.

"Look at West Brom – with three wins on the bounce and look where they are. What they have done is incredible.

"It is there for us. There is nothing to be down about, it is still in our hands." Norwich come into the game on the back of a famous victory against Manchester United at Carrow Road last Saturday and will no doubt be buoyed by their unexpected win.

But Hughes feels the visit to Selhurst Park will form a different test altogether for Nigel Worthington’s side, and he hopes Selhurst Park will be an uncomfortable place to play.

Hughes said: "It’s OK to get one good result but it is a hard thing when you go away from home to a ground that will be a little bit intimidating.

"I hope Palace on Saturday is intimidating for them. We are going to be up for this game like you have never known.

"There are a lot of frustrated people at this club at the moment. They are frustrated because things have not gone as they should have done.

"On Saturday we know we have to prove a point to ourselves. We are going to come out firing. There is no doubt about it. It is going to be red hot, a red hot game and a red hot atmosphere. They will not get a chance to breathe."

Apart from long-term absentees Emmerson Boyce and Tommy Black, Iain Dowie will have a fully fit squad to pick from on Saturday and he is likely to make several changes after last Sunday.

Gonzalo Sorondo is set to return in the place of Darren Powell to partner Fitz Hall and Danny Butterfield could be in contention to reclaim the right back spot, depending on whether he came through a reserve game last night (Tuesday).

Joonas Kolkka could be pushing for a recall on the left hand side and Sandor Torghelle is likely to partner Andrew Johnson in attack. Nicola Ventola may feature on the bench, if he came through last night’s reserve game unscathed.

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