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Interview with an away fan: Crystal Palace

This week the football is back after yet another boring international week. The Whites take on Crystal Palace at Elland Road, and I caught up with Palace fan and blogger Tom Wellman. You can check Tom's blog out here.

You're sitting pretty in sixth in the Championship table with three wins from five matches. What has changed this season?

Not much really. Dougie has brought in some solid signings and with a decent pre-season under his belt we've continued the great home form from last season. The away win at Hull took us all by surprise but we're not getting carried away (yet).

After a poor campaign last year many expected you to go down, what are the expectations this season?

Our squad was quite depleated after a hectic summer in 2010 so survival was always the aim. Thankfully we managed it and with the dust still settling we hope to push forwards. Progress is being made by the inch but the fans are content with the current position of the club though a mid-table finish would be perfect!

Dougie Freedman is now the manager after 10 years at the club. What do the fans think of him, and is he the man to bring success back to Selhurst Park?

Legend, Hero, God. We love the bloke and one day a he shall have his own statue at Selhurst. He's saved us once as a player (Stockport 2001) and twice as a manager over the past two seasons so you could say he's already achieved relative success. But he'll be given plenty of time and resources as well as the cream of the crop from the academy so theres no reason as to why he can't guide us to a play-off finish in the next 5 years.

You seem to have a better all-round squad this year, Glenn Murray looks a good signing do you think he can score you 20 goals a season?

Yes, Dougie has filled the gaps and added depth which was exactly what we needed. Though we lost Neil Danns, its given the likes of Garvan, Zaha and Scannell a chance to step up. As for Murray, I was impressed with his contribution against Blackpool. Though not fully fit, he could quite easily have grabbed a hat-trick so he has much more to give but 20 goals may be a long shot however!

I really rate Darren Ambrose but who else will be a danger on Saturday for the Leeds defence?

Sean Scannell. He's begun the season like a house on fire down the middle, scoring 2 goals so far and has pace to singe the eyebrows from opposing defenders. Like all Palace youngsters he has tremendous feet and control so should be the one to keep an eye on for sure if he's recovered from a niggling ankle injury. Wilf Zaha is always a threat if given room and hopefully he can convert a few more chances this season.

If you could have any Leeds player who would it be?

We've struggled for a 15-20 goal striker since the days of Clinton Morrison, Andy Johnson and Freedman himself so Becchio is definitely someone we'd love to have. Robert Snodgrass is also a dangerous player capable of stunning free kicks and long range specials but we have Ambrose for that. Prior to his recent departure, Max Gradel looked one hell of a player and makes his move to St.Etienne a sad one for the Championship. Jonny Howson would add bite and goals to any team he plays in too but sadly he's a Leeds boy.

Prediction for the match? I'm going for 2-2!

I'm going for a 1-1 draw. Our recent good start should only be premature as I expect normality to reign following the international break and transfer window as the likes of Leicester, Birmingham, Reading etc. overtake us. However, Leeds haven't exactly got going yet so I fancy us grabbing a point from this one. A bit optimistic perhaps but we should have won here last year anyway!

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