CRYSTAL Palace defender Damien Delaney says the Eagles may have counted themselves lucky in the final third of last season with injuries and suspensions.
The 33-year-old is now part of a big squad at Selhurst Park, and despite the competition for places, Delaney welcomes it for the long haul following the first four games of the new Premier League season.
Delaney was part of a defence which thwarted many sides and kept a number of clean sheets last season – and that same backline was utilised last Saturday in the goalless draw against Burnley.
"I hadn't really thought of it like that, but it was the back four from last season which was so well-drilled," he said.
"You look at last year, to go from January to the end of the season, there was barely a change in the starting XI.
"There were no suspensions, nobody reached five or ten bookings, nobody really missed out through injury.
"That's not going to happen again, that was a freak. God forbid if anyone does go down, there is genuinely, even the 11 versus 11 in training, there are two good starting XIs I wouldn't mind starting either game.
"Hopefully we can settle down and get a good routine going and go up the division."For the full interview with Delaney, don't miss Friday's Croydon Advertiser.Follow your Palace reporter on Twitter @MR_LWMediaLike our Facebook page at facebook.com/AdvertiserSport
