Defender vows to stay strong

Crystal Palace defender Matt Lawrence says criticism from boss Neil Warnock will not effect his displays on the pitch.

The 34-year-old has come in for some criticism from Warnock for some defensive errors that have plagued him during the first few months of the season but he is determined to play through the problem and not be affected by the boss' comments.

He told the Advertiser: "The manager can say what he likes because he is my boss. People have said things about me before and managers have got rid of me - but at my age it's not going to affect me on the pitch.

"The manager is entitled to his opinion and I will take what he says on board and I'm strong enough to take criticism.

"I'm a professional footballer and I whatever is said isn't personal."