Clint Hill is eager to get back to winning ways this weekend against Barnsley at Selhurst Park after what he believes was an "up and down" week for the Eagles.

It was a seven days that saw Palace fall to their first defeat in six games, then smash a London rival 4-2 before ending it with a with a 2-0 defeat in Sheffield.

The left back knows that Sheffield United was a missed opportunity, and was disappointed that the team could not put in a better performance for the manager on his return to his former club.

"[It was a] bit of an up and down week last week with the home game against Doncaster. the high against Reading, and then doing really well and getting a good away result.

"And then going away to Sheffield United, obviously with all the connections [we were] looking for a good performance and show our strength, but we never really got going and it was a bit of an anti-climax.

"[The manager] was disappointed because it is a big occasion for him and I don't think we showed our true capabilities on the day. We could have made it harder for them and made it more of a contest and we didn't really show what we were all about, so [we are] disappointed in that respect."

Goals from Lee Williamson and Stephen Quinn sealed the victory for the Blades, but Palace were rocked only hours earlier by a number of players complaining of flu-like symptoms. 

"It was weird. Most of the lads only found out on Saturday morning coming down for breakfast that a few of the boys had been throwing up and were on the toilet all night, so it was not great preparation. But I don't think we turned up as a team on Saturday which was the most important thing."

Looking ahead to Barnsley this weekend, Hill is preparing for a tough match against a Barnsley side unbeaten in six games and is eager to make home advantage count.

"[It is going to be] tough. They have some good players, got some pace, got some experience. Obviously new manager coming in so they will be up for it. It is always a tough game against them, but we have to try and get our home form back on track and show what we are all about really and show it throughout the game instead of little spurts."

Clint was speaking exclusively to Palace Player at the Beckenham training ground. Subscribers to Player can watch the full interview right now by signing in here.

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