Dowie puts his trust in skill to beat Blackburn

14 April 2012

For Crystal Palace to have a chance of out-muscling Blackburn tonight they would need to field Iain Dowie, Terry Hurlock and Neil Ruddock in their prime.

Mark Hughes' side are one of the most physical in the Premiership and their style of play since the Welshman took charge has won more enemies than friends.

Robin van Persie and Arsene Wenger will certainly have crossed Rovers off their Christmas card list after Arsenal's bruising FA Cup semi-final win against them at the weekend.

Van Persie left the Millennium Stadium with a bloodied lip after being flattened by Andy Todd's flailing elbow and the Blackburn captain was yesterday charged by the Football Association with violent conduct.

Palace manager Dowie is under no illusions about his team's task at Ewood Park.

He knows that in terms of size and tactics his team could not be more different from Rovers. But Dowie is confident small and skilful will be the winner tonight.

He said: "We have got technical players and are going to play a passing game. Football is an entertainment sport and I want my team to entertain.

"We are not blessed with big, physical players. We tried to get more players like that last summer and in the transfer window and could not get them over the line.

"If Andy Johnson comes in for a bruising again I am sure he will meet fire with fire. We are not frightened of being competitive."

Dowie is confident Johnson (dead leg) will be fit to play but Mikele Leigertwood (foot) and Michael Hughes (groin) face fitness tests and Darren Powell (flu) and Nicola Ventola (leg) are out.

For Rovers, striker Paul Dickov (knee) is a doubt and Robbie Savage (groin) may only make the bench.

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Dowie puts his trust in skill to beat Blackburn

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