Mikele Leigertwood is at a loss to explain the inconsistent form which has hampered the Eagles' attempts to grab the precious second automatic promotion spot this season.

The Eagles have failed to win two league games on the spin since the new year and the club's attempts to capitalise on second placed Sheffield United's stuttering run have been heavily handicapped by the loss of important points over the past three months.

Victory in Friday's six-pointer against Watford will just about keep alive the Eagles' slim chances of a second place finish and automatic promotion to the Premiership, but on current form it will be hard to predict which Palace side will turn up.

"I can't put my finger on why we are so inconsistent at the moment and it does do my head in," says Leigertwood.

"We do sometimes play better away from home because there's less pressure on us. We've just got to keep on at each other and make sure our standards don't drop."

Earlier in the season Palace boss Iain Dowie spoke of how expectancy levels have increased at Selhurst Park since the club's narrow relegation from the Premiership.

Leigerwood admits the players can easily sense the current level of expectation at home games and feels the players can be affected by it.

Leigertwood said: "It does, but it shouldn't do. Teams come to our place and set their stall out to stop us from playing and it gets frustrating for the fans if we can't go and open them up.

"Whereas when we're away from home they are going to come back at us and one of our main threats is counter attacking and the pace we attack so sometimes it's much easier."

The ex-Wimbledon man has made a successful return to first team action over the past week by again demonstrating his versatility.

Leigertwood has filled in at the problem left back spot for the past two games but despite his reliability in playing in a number of roles since he came to the Eagles, he hopes he will eventually settle down in one position.

Leigertwood said: "I'd prefer to get one position cemented. But I'm just happy to be playing because I haven't played for a while."

Meanwhile, off the field Leigertwood is hoping negotiations surrounding a new contract are completed soon so he can commit his future to the Eagles.

The 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but does not see himself playing for anybody else.

"Talks are still ongoing," added Leigertwood. "But I'm not really bothered about that.

"As long as I'm doing that, it will sort itself out. Hopefully we'll get it sorted before the end of the season.

"I definitely want to stay."