Crystal Palace: Ian Holloway says worrying is part of job

Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway says worrying is an "occupational hazard" of football management as his side prepare to face Peterborough on the final day of the Championship season.

The Eagles are winless in nine games but are likely to make the play-offs if they avoid defeat against the Posh.

"You learn to deal with it ahead of these games," he told BBC London 94.9.

"Making the lads believe in themselves is where I earn my money - worrying is just an occupational hazard."

He added: "Every day of your life you put yourself up to win and you might not but you can only do the right things.

"Losing isn't nice but Crystal Palace have been in the top six almost all season. We have good players, we're a good team and we must remember that."

Palace will be guaranteed a promotion play-off spot if they beat Peterborough, but will also secure a berth if they draw - providing both Bolton and Nottingham Forest do not win their games by more than three and six goals respectively.

Before their current barren run, Palace had won four games in five culminating in a 4-2 victory over promotion rivals Hull City.

That result had seemingly secured the side's play-off position, taking them 10 points clear of seventh spot and leaving them well-placed in a battle for the second automatic promotion slot.

But their form since has seen them slide down the table.

Meanwhile Posh have lost only once in their last 12 matches and picked up 21 points to haul themselves out of the Championship relegation zone on goal-difference.

But Holloway remained buoyant, adding: "All I can do is put out a team and a strategy to win the game. What I've found recently is that certain players are absolutely vital to the unification of the team.

"Mile Jedinak has really been missed for two games - I didn't know how vital he was at first so having him back from suspension will be huge.

"Peterborough will be dangerous because they need the points.

"But it's up to us to hurt some of their weaknesses and I think this game will suit us because they'll come at us instead of us having to break down two banks of four, as we've struggled against that."