DOWIE UP FOR THE CUP

Last updated : 10 November 2004 By editor

Dowie claims that Palace were inspired to a 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday after watching a DVD of Ali's `Rumble in the Jungle' with George Foreman.

"Ali is famous for saying impossible is nothing and at the time the `Rumble in the Jungle' (when Ali beat Foreman) was a big shock. I'm very much a fan of Ali's. Looking back you wouldn't have thought it was the biggest shock ever. But it was at the time. He was unbeatable, George Foreman. I'm a keen boxing aficionado and the mental toughness you need to be a boxer is something I admire."

"It might not win or lose you the game but sometimes that one per cent you can control will help you. There's been a steady improvement in the way we prepare for games mentally. I think that's the confidence of where we are. The anxiety has gone away and we are more relaxed. We are expressing ourselves a little bit more. I sensed that it had an impact (against Arsenal). It's a massive task to go and win at Old Trafford but it's something we hope to do and it's a cup competition."