Freedman: Bubble could burst in the tense atmosphere of a derby (From Croydon Guardian)

Palace take on Millwall with Freedman jittery behind the scenes

11:00am Friday 19th October 2012 in Sport By Tim Ashton

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman is living with a nagging doubt that his team's unbeaten run will end amid the fierce atmosphere of the local derby with Millwall.

The Championship clash, which kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) at 1pm, restarts the Eagles' league campaign after the international break and Freedman wants his men to be ready to hit the ground running.

And while Millwall are struggling at the wrong end of the table, the Scot is all too well aware that form counts for nothing in a tense derby match.

He said: "We’re in good form at the moment but I’ve got a doubt in my mind that if the bubble is going to burst it will burst in a derby match because the form goes out the window.

"For that reason we are right on the accelerator in terms of training and making sure everything goes exactly the way we want it.

"We have got to make sure that we approach it with the attitude that whatever’s gone has gone, the form of the boys has to be almost forgotten because this is a derby and at the end of the day, it’s toe-to-toe, form goes out the window."

He added: "There is added pressure on the players because it is a local derby and it is a great occasion with a great atmosphere. We’re in it for this reason, we love the challenge. 

"The lads had the weekend off, but we’ve done a lot of work over the past 10 days or so in terms of tactics and we’re up to speed.

"I think we’re in a very good physical condition so it is a matter of maintaining that, not just for Millwall, but for the next run of games."