Dougie's confident his Palace jigsaw is finally taking shape

Dougie Freedman is convinced that Crystal Palace are starting to show their true colours following a slow start to the season.

Palace lost their opening three games but last night’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest means they are unbeaten in three matches and playing with a swagger almost unimaginable a fortnight ago.

Ahead through Kagisho Dikgacoi’s second-half header, the hosts had looked on course for a third successive victory when Forest midfielder Adlene Guedioura was sent off on the hour at Selhurst Park.

Freedman was naturally disappointed with Dexter Blackstock’s late equaliser but believes the performance offered further evidence of his side’s credentials after last week’s 1-0 win at Charlton.

He said: “We can get better but we have shown what we are capable of, we have shown how good we can be. We played a team, in Forest, who will be in the shake-up for promotion this season and we passed them off the park in the first half.

“It was just a case of putting the jigsaw in place a little bit later than we would have liked this season.

“But as you can see now, the performance levels are where they should be. I was never worried because I knew that we had a good bunch of lads.

“We just need a little more belief around the place but it’s coming together. You can see that.”

Freedman conceded that Palace missed Dikgacoi’s presence when the influential midfielder was forced off with concussion five minutes after Guedioura’s red card.

The South African, who has been a stand-out performer this season, was assessed by the club’s medical staff today but Freedman hopes he will recover in time to face Cardiff at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

He said: “He is a hugely influential player around the place and we suffered when he went off, that hurt us a little bit. He was sweeping up a lot of things in midfield and getting the ball out wide. We missed him.

“I’ve been delighted, not only with his goals but the good runs he has been making into the box.

“We had a chat with him in the summer because we needed a midfielder that could chip in with more goals and he has taken that on board.”

Freedman has been boosted by the signing of Wales international Danny Gabbidon, who will bolster defensive options in the absence of injured captain Paddy McCarthy.

The 33-year-old was a free agent after being released by Queens Park Rangers in the summer and has joined until the end of the season.

“We’ve had a look at him and he has been fantastic in training over the past couple of weeks,” said Freedman.

“He has shown so much quality that we thought it would be a good deal for us. A lot of teams have got bigger squads so can rotate more and he certainly brings experience that we could do with.”

Gabbidon, who is still a week away from full fitness and will not feature against Cardiff, added: “A lot of stuff went on during my year at Rangers so I want to try and start enjoying my football again. With Dougie, there is a good thing going here.

“It’s a good mix and he was definitely a reason behind me signing.”