Garvan wants points to ease the pressure (From Croydon Guardian)

Palace must get points on the board, says Garvan

12:00am Friday 24th August 2012 in Eagles News By Tim Ashton

Crystal Palace midfielder Owen Garvan wants points on the board and he wants them quickly.

After last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Watford, where Garvan bagged both Palace goals, the Eagles went on the road to Bristol City on Tuesday before facing a tough assignment at Middlesbrough this Saturday.

The 24-year-old Irish international, who joined the Eagles in 2010, is also hoping the Eagles’ start in last season’s Championship is a sign of things to come.

“We lost the opening game at Peterborough last year and then went on to win a few games on the spin so hopefully that is a good omen that we will do it again,” he said.

“We have a couple of tough away games coming up, so it is important we get some points on the board early doors. It eases the pressure on the players and helps to relax everyone around the club.”

He added: “But every team wants the same thing, they want points so they can ease their way into the season.

“There is very little between all the teams in the Championship, it is just a case of who is up for it on the day and we need to be that team.”

Despite his double against Watford, Garvan, who was named in Giovanni Trapattoni’s first senior squad as Republic of Ireland manager in 2008, does not have a great goalscoring pedigree.

At Ipswich Town he scored 13 goals in 163 appearances, and, prior to Saturday, Garvan had hit the back of the net six times in 48 appearances for the Eagles.

The figures suggest his brace on Saturday represents a more attacking role this term.

He said: “I would normally hang back in midfield, but I will be getting forward more because the gaffer wants me to get into double figures.

“Hopefully, this year I will get more game time and get more goals. But as part of a team we have all got to chip in and get among the goals.”

Meanwhile, Garvan’s fellow midfielder Alex Morrow has joined Football League new boys Fleetwood Town on loan for an undisclosed period.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Eagles from Blackburn Rovers last year, was loaned to Preston North End at the end of last season.