Despite two disappointing results since signing Ade Akinbiyi, Trevor Francis will persevere with his three-pronged attack for the home game against Sheffield United on Saturday.

After a disappointing debut against Wolves last week, Akinbiyi was substituted after an hour on Saturday with Wimbledon leading 1-0.

He looked less than pleased as he made his way off the ground but the introduction of Julian Gray and Tommy Black galvanised Palace and led directly to Clinton Morrison's late equaliser.

The tactical switch to 4-4-2 from a 4-3-3 formation was decisive but Francis is likely to stick with his three-pronged attack for Palace's home encounter against Sheffield United and again when they face Barnsley in an away match on Tuesday.

He said: "At the moment I feel that too much is being talked about in terms of team shape. We have played with three up front at times this season and it's been very effective.

"The biggest factor is the scoreline at the time, if we had been leading 1-0 Ade Akinbiyi would probably have played the 90 minutes but I had to do something to change the course of the game.

"He was brought off purely for tactical reasons, I'm not suggesting that he was having a great game, because not many were."

The next week is crucial to Palace's play-off aspirations but Francis has a depleted squad to chose from with Kit Symons and Tony Popovic still out with groin strains.

Danny Granville is serving the second of a two-match ban, Aki Riihilahti is suspended for one match while Shaun Murphy is ineligible to play.

"I think you always look to try and get three out of your home game and if you can collect a point away from home, it keeps your form going.

"The next three games are very important against Sheffield United, Barnsley and Grimsby."

And Francis feels Palace are making steps in the right direction, with the comeback against the Dons a significant step.

He said: "I was talking to the chairman earlier this week and he can't remember the last time Palace came from behind to get a result.

"There's a few things that have pleased me since I came here.

"Our away form; the last four away games we have won three and drawn one and now we've come back from behind."

In fact the last time Palace came back from a goal down to secure at least a point was against Nottingham Forest in December.

February 20, 2002 14:00