El-Abd: We must be on guard at Palace (From The Argus)
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El-Abd: We must be on guard at Palace
9:00am Saturday 1st December 2012 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Adam El-Abd with Wilfried Zaha
Adam El-Abd has put Albion’s mean-minded defence on Ollie alert on derby day.
The Seagulls have let in only 16 goals in 19 games but the best record in the Championship will be under threat from Ian Holloway’s Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Albion’s arch rivals have scored 11 in five matches since Holloway took charge, including eight in two at home.
El-Abd, back in contention after hamstring trouble, was part of the Albion defence besieged by Holloway’s Blackpool in a recent 1-1 draw.
The centre half said: “Ian Holloway sets his team up to play attacking football.
“I think he has done that where ever he has been. Blackpool, especially at their place, throw the kitchen sink at you and go hell for leather to get goals.
“I am sure it won’t be much different at Selhurst, so it’s something we have got to brace ourselves for and hopefully we can impose our game and make life difficult for them also.”
A second win in 29 years at Palace could lift Albion back into the play-off zone after spending the last six weeks outside the top six.
El-Abd said: “We had a spell where we won five in a row, which propelled us to the top of the league, then you can easily have a bad run.
“We have got to remain consistent and solid in our shape and then we are more than capable of putting a run together like we are at the moment.
“We are in the middle of a half-decent run which, if we win, becomes a very good run and we’ll end up in the mix again.”
Comments(3)
Captain Haddock
says...
11:16am Sat 1 Dec 12
1) Out and out hatred, blindly followed with no chance of friendly banter (even in the right circumstances).
2) Panoimime hatred but never (or rarely) taken too far, but with an a cute or at least very strong sense of rivalry. On derby day mornings this fan will have butterflies, nervous excitement and a desperate desire to win ....anything less than a draw leads to depression lasting for a bare minimum of many days. I am in this category and always have / will be.
3) The mildly engaged fan, who is a proper Albion can but for whatever reason doesn't quite feel or understand the keenness of the rivalry so tangible to others.
4) The plastic or casual fan - thinks (probably rightly in terms of rationale) that the rivalry and differing emotions are silly.
One thing for sure, all those in the first two groups will see this as by far the biggest game of the season so far. I'm actually shaking with anticipation as I type this on my way from North London. No breakfast as of yet probably doesn't help
Captain Haddock
says...
11:25am Sat 1 Dec 12
As for the game: 1-2 with Dobbie amongst the scorers.
Is going to be quite an atmosphere, let's hope the game matches up.
I understand we are the featured match on The Football League Show tonight btw.
blue and white says...
10:06am Sat 1 Dec 12
Our defence is stronger however there attacking strike force is more prolific.We will see tough game.Score prediction 1all !