Palace boss has change of heart over Stoke clash

Friday, January 4, 2013
2:28 PM

Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway is set to resist the temptation to make wholesale changes to his side when they host Stoke in the FA Cup.

Palace’s priority this season is promotion to the Premier League and Holloway was considering resting a number of his players for the third-round tie.

But he is also mindful of keeping up the momentum which has propelled the Eagles to third in the npower Championship and in with a genuine tilt at joining Stoke in the top flight next season.

“I think it’s nice now, to have the FA Cup,” he said. “At least we’ve drawn a fantastic Premier League club in Stoke.

“I will pay that game the respect it’s due. I had been thinking about making some changes, whether I will I really don’t know. I had made my mind up but now I’m undecided.

“I warned our fans I might make some changes but I’m not so sure now. I don’t think we are strong enough to put any other sort of team out to give Stoke any sort of game.

“As it is I want to try to continue the process. I’m gradually starting to feel this is my team.

“It’s another chance for us to work on our shape and keep going on what we’ve got going. It’s not a league game but it’s a really important match.

“It’s another chance for the players to interpret what I want and try to show me they can do it.”