JULIAN Speroni has defended manager Neil Warnock's decision to take off Yannick Bolasie and replace him with Martin Kelly in the second half against Southampton Boxing Day.
As the game was in its final third, the boss angered sections of the Palace support by taking off the tricky winger when the Eagles were 3-0 down.
Fans booed the decision and chanted "you don't know what you're doing" once the fourth official raised the numbers for substitution.
However, Speroni has backed the boss and believes it was with a view to the game at Queens Park Rangers in 48 hours' time (Sunday).
"The manager has to make decisions," the custodian told the Advertiser.
"My first thought was that he wanted to protect Yala, because at 3-0 down with 20 minutes to go, we have another important game in 48 hours.
"That is understandable but the manager has been in the game for so many years and he knows what he's doing.
"I understand the frustration of the fans. They want us to win games, and so do we."
By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)
