February 15 2006

Iain Dowie

Iain Dowie told Palace fans to stop moaning and start backing his play-off hopefuls.

Dowie was disappointed with the size and attitude of the crowd for Tuesday's 2-1 win against London rivals QPR.

The Palace boss believes negative comments from some sections of the Selhurst Park crowd are affecting his players.

He said: "I heard a few rumbles among the fans, and sometimes we forget that we were fourth from bottom in Christmas 2003 when I took over as manager.

"Sometimes the edginess in the crowd gets to the players. The fans get anxious and so the players get anxious, even when you try to make them relaxed.

The crowd was 17,550 tonight, and we are hoping for at least 20,000, particularly when we are challenging for the play-offs."

Goals from Clinton Morrison and Jobi McAnuff eased Palace into the lead and they held on despite Paul Furlong's strike.

Dowie was satisifed with the display and said: "We dominated the first half totally and created plenty of chances in the second.

"But Rangers will always make it hard for you at set pieces, because they have so many tall players."