Johnson hits the net with his new goals

14 April 2012

Goals are paramount to Andrew Johnson. Not only is the First Division's leading scorer driving Crystal Palace's play-off charge, but he credits his prolific form to a new system of performance-related targets established by Iain Dowie.

Before every match, the Palace manager identifies an aspect of each player's game to concentrate on and sets him a specific objective. In Johnson's case, he was told to create at least two chances for a team-mate during the 1-0 win over Gillingham last week.

The theory goes that if every player achieves his individual goal, the team will be successful.

It may sound more David Brent than David Pleat, but Dowie's strategy is difficult to dismiss given Palace's record of six wins in their past seven matches.

Johnson is convinced - and , despite a close relationship with his former boss Trevor Francis, hails Dowie as the best manager he has worked under.

The 23-year-old, who is the Evening Standard Footballer of the Month for February, said: "The manager's been brilliant. He has brought in John Harbin as fitness coach as well and the new regime has been tremendous.

"The goal-setting has really helped. We have goals set for the team and goals set for individuals. My goal might be to create chances for others or something like tracking back to stop a defender getting forward. It's been brilliant. All the boys have pulled together and it seems to be paying off."

Palace's transformation under Dowie would appear to support chairman Simon Jordan's view that a talented squad were underachieving before.

The playing staff has hardly changed since Dowie's appointment last December, but the former Oldham manager has altered the tactics and instilled a new sense of belief.

Johnson is a case in point. He joined Palace in July 2002 as part of the deal that took Clinton Morrison to Birmingham. A highly rated forward, his initial impact at Selhurst Park was limited by injury and Francis's tendency to use him as a winger. Johnson started this season in a more central role and, although he was scoring regularly for Steve Kember and Kit Symons, his game has flourished under Dowie.

He said: "It was disappointing when Trevor left. He's a great bloke and I worked with him for seven years.

"But these things happen and I have to say that I'm delighted with Iain's appointment. He's the best manager I've worked under. He knows what he wants and is very well organised. That rubs off on the players."

Four goals last month have taken Johnson to the top of the Division One scoring charts.

With 20 league goals, the division's golden boot has been added to Johnson's list of targets but a play-off place for Palace remains the priority.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's clash with promotion rivals Reading, he said: "I don't see why we can't finish in the top six. In our last 12 games, seven are against top clubs and five of those at home. If we can take points off them it gives us a huge advantage.

"It is a massive incentive to finish top scorer. On Saturdays I check the results to see who else has scored and if I'm still up there."

Dowie's latest motivational motto is, "he who rests on the cushions of success falls asleep", and Palace fans will be delighted if their star striker continues to suffer from insomnia.

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Johnson hits the net with his new goals

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