Holloway demands his Eagles cut themselves free of the shackles (From Croydon Guardian)

Game of two halves at Watford prompts Holloway's rallying call to his Palace stars

11:32am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in Football By Tim Ashton

Ian Holloway wants his Crystal Palace charges to shed the shackles and go for broke in the chase for the Premier League.

After watching a proverbial game of two halves at Vicarage Road, where Watford stormed into a 2-0 lead, only for goals from Peter Ramage and loan-signing Kevin Phillips to cap a fine second-half comeback, Holloway left disappointed at not taking all three points back to Selhurst Park.

“In the first half we were a little tentative, and they scored two goals out of probably three chances – which is pretty clinical,” he said.

"I don’t throw tea cups about at half-time, I can get angry at times when I see a lack of effort, but I did not see that – I just thought we needed to be more positive, fresher and have a free outlook on it.

“There is a big difference between going somewhere and trying to keep clean sheets, which the team might have done before.

“Jonny Williams and Kevin Phillips played their part, but it was down to all the lads really. They cut off the shackles and went for it, and I think we play better that way.”

He added: “It is more important what we do from now on in, compared with anything we have done up to this point.

“Friday night proved that it is never over until it is over – we have not earned anything yet, we have to keep going and see where we at the end of the season.”