Palace gem Mullins regains his sparkle

Leo Spall13 April 2012

Hayden Mullins was one of Crystal Palace's most sought-after players last season.

The former England Under-21 player attracted interest from Leicester and Charlton among others and the Selhurst Park club, who were then in administration, did well to hold on to him.

Although the club are now back on their feet under the chairmanship of Simon Jordan, Mullins, a player with an assured touch and excellent passing, has suffered mixed fortunes.

He has been used as a sweeper and at right-back in addition to his preferred midfield-holding position this season.

Manager Alan Smith also transfer-listed him in October because of the player's "bad attitude".

However, two weeks ago Mullins signed a new four-year contract and tonight he is expected to keep his place for the rearranged Worthington Cup quarter-final clash with Sunderland at Selhurst Park.

"It has all been a bit weird and I have not always known how to take things since we came out of administration," Mullins said today.

"That period rumbled on for ages and even though we did not like it, we got on with it and became used to it a bit. It was a blow when Steve Coppell left as manager because he was a nice man and I had known him for years.

"Alan came in and it took us all a couple of months to gel but we have got it together more now because we know each other better."

Palace had mentioned an improved contract at the start of the season but no agreement was reached. However, the club's change in fortunes - they are unbeaten for the last 11 games - and the decision to take Mullins off the transfer list convinced him to sign the new deal.

"I have never said I wanted to leave the club even when I was on the transfer list," Mullins said.

"I thought it was a bit unfair I was put on it but I have been at Palace all my career and I am loyal to them. I had a year to run on my contract anyway.

"This is a big club and we should be much higher up the table than we are. The damage that was done in administration has probably affected us a bit but I have always wanted to stay."

Mullins is only 21 but has already made more than 100 senior appearances for the club.

He is one of Smith's more experienced youngsters and the manager said: "He is a nice lad and I think he could go on to become something really special. He has got something about him and just needs a little bit of confidence. I had earmarked him as one for the future even before I came back to Palace.

"I am not sure he knows how to take me because sometimes I dig people out for criticism, but I am a great fan."

That means he is likely to keep his place in the centre of midfield tonight for the game which was called off because of a waterlogged pitch last week.

Winger Andrejs Rubins could be on the substitutes' bench after being sidelined for more than a month with a broken ankle but Dougie Freedman is cup-tied.

Sunderland striker Niall Quinn has not travelled with the squad because of a back problem and former Chelsea defender Emerson Thome is being rested.

"This is the biggest game of our season so far and I think we have got a very good chance to get through," said Mullins, who will also face Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup, this time at the Stadium of Light.

"I have never been in the quarterfinals with the senior side and will probably get a bit nervous, but that is a good thing because it gives you an edge. Europe is the ultimate prize now but we are not looking that far ahead yet because we will have to play Liverpool in the next round if we get through.

"Sunderland are a very good team but I think we could nick it."

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