Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Teammate expects Barbadian Ifill to fit in well at new club

Thursday, January 18, 2007

by: Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

LONDON, England: Crystal Palace defender Leon Cort has backed Paul Ifill to be a success at Selhurst Park following the Barbadian's £750,000 move from Sheffield United earlier this month.

Cort, who played with Ifill while they were at Millwall, has encouraged the midfielder to continue playing his game with confidence, despite his move from a English Premiership team to a Championships side.

After gaining a promotion in 2006 with Sheffield, Ifill found it difficult to obtain a first-team place, but Cort said he is still quality.

"I was at Millwall with Paul in the youth team and I can tell you he is a quality player," Cort said. "He's both-footed and will always have a go, which is something defenders hate - and that is just what we need.

"Paul shouldn't let the fact he has come from the Premiership to the Championship knock his confidence. It happens to a lot of footballers. He just has to have self belief because he is a good player.

"And the move should be good for both the player and the club. He knows exactly what this league is about after getting promotion with Sheffield United and he'll be a good addition to the squad."

Ifill made his debut against Coventry on a winning note and Cort, who scored in the team's 4-2 win, believes the Caribbean midfielder's signing puts pressure on every player who plays that position to perform week in and week out.

He, however, noted that if everyone can gel together then the team will be a force to reckon with.

"Everybody's place is under threat," Cort said. "You look at our bench and you think they would get into another Championship team easily.

"So competition is immense and it's become even better now Paul Ifill is here. Now if everything gels we can be right up there."

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