HARRY Redknapp has hit back at critics lamenting Portsmouth's recent dip in form.

Pompey, who host Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, have drawn their last three First Division games.

"People are now telling me we have not won for three games," said Redknapp. "Well, I would say that we have not lost for eight games either.

"We are not going to win every game, which is a point I have made several times before.

"The expectations are obviously high here, but people have to be realistic.

"We have three enormous challenges before us in the next few days and, even after that, there is a lot of football still to be played."

Palace are flying high with three successive League wins, and with former Pompey man Shaun Derry, pictured below, relishing a return to his old hunting ground.

The 25-year old midfielder was an early casualty of the Redknapp Revolution, after being skipper under previous manager Graham Rix, and moved to Selhurst Park in the summer.

He said: "Playing your old club always gives you an added incentive to do well, especially when you are playing against friends."

Palace boss Trevor Francis believes his side can build on last Sunday's 3-1 win at Rotherham.

He said: "At the start of the season we talked about getting in the play-offs, and we can really push on with that aim now.

"We're without 11 senior players presently, and all-round it was a good performance at Millmoor."

Palace have missed the striking power of both Ade Akinbiyi who is close to a return after eight months out with knee ligament damage, and Dougie Freedman, who is due to have a hernia operation shortly.

Top scorer Andrew Johnson will also be missing on Boxing Day due to a broken toe, but the lively Tommy Black - who scored twice against Rotherham - and the muscular Dele Adebola have formed a pacy and effective partnership up front.

Redknapp has no new injury worries for the sell-out clash, although Paul Merson's ankle continues to require pain-killing injections both before and during games.

There is no lack of cover in midfield if Redknapp decides to rest Merson, with Gary O'Neil looking impressive in his substitute appearances, and Carl Robinson anxious for another chance to impress.

POMPEY (from): Hislop, Kawaguchi, Primus, De Zeeuw, Foxe, Taylor, Harper, Crowe, Stone, Diabate, Robinson, O'Neil, Merson, Quashie, Todorov, Burton, Burchill.