To start off, can you tell us about the main dangers Crystal Palace can pose to Liverpool on Saturday, and who you think the real danger-men for your side are?
Yannick Bolasie will pose the biggest threat to Liverpool if he starts on Saturday, after showing fans what they had missed when he was at the African Cup of Nations, when he assisted Fraizer Campbell’s equaliser with a well worked cross just minutes after he came off the bench against Newcastle on Wednesday night.
The winger has a book full of tricks to unleash on any full back that is ready to take him on with nine times out of ten, making his game hell. His play can also has its drawbacks as on some occasions he leaves a move too late, giving it time to fizzle out or to be wasted but if he’s on top form – this lad can do wonders.
Our fans will also play a major part in the game, getting behind the team no matter what – supporting Pardew’s side throughout. This affect was clear to see on Wednesday before and after Palace’s equaliser against Newcastle, handing the momentum to the hosts.
There was a coin-throwing incident during the week but sadly, every club will have their idiot.
What are your thoughts on Alan Pardew, and how has he settled in to life at Selhurst Park?
I never doubted the appointment of Alan Pardew and I’m pleased it is working out for both him and the club as at the moment, everyone is realising how much of a genius Pardew is whilst Crystal Palace are going from strength to strength.
Admittedly though, I never Pardew to have as good of a start as he was having with the former Newcastle boss picking up five wins, a draw and a defeat in all competitions – a form of some stature considering Palace’s form before his appointment.
What are your views on the FA Cup, do you see it as a distraction from the more important League campaign or as a major trophy in its right?
Our current campaign in the FA Cup hasn’t hampered our performances so far in the Premier League this season, unlike our successful Capital One Cup run in 2011/12 that seen us defeat Manchester United in the quarter-finals at Old Trafford – seeing us fighting at the bottom end of the Championship.
If anything, I believe that our success so far since the arrival of Pardew has been built around the success in the tournament with his first game being against Dover in the third round. This has been our most successful FA Cup tournament in recent history and a result today could be something of great significance in the future.
Do you expect to see a ‘weakened’ team from Palace on Saturday, or is this a competition you feel you could go far in?
A weakened team is the last thing that will be on Alan Pardew’s mind as he understands how important this specific cup run has been for the fans this season as it has helped build their confidence as well as the players after the form that the club were left in under Neil Warnock, bringing in a bad atmosphere.
It is a competition that many people around the club believe we could go far in with recent history against Liverpool playing a major part in that with the 3-1 win earlier on in the season and the 3-3 draw at the end of 2013/14.
Selhurst Park has become a difficult place for Liverpool to visit, as they’ve conceded 6 goals in their last two games there, do you see Saturday following this trend?
I wouldn’t say that I can see this game following the trend but I think it could end up playing in the head of a number of players in the build-up and possibly after specific goals throughout the game but I don’t see this result becoming a trend.
Finally, can we get a score prediction from you?
Palace 2 – 1 Liverpool
