Holloway is playing catch up

Published Jul. 21, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway admits he is finding it hard to bring in new players to Selhurst Park this summer.

Veteran striker Kevin Phillips became the Eagles' fifth summer signing ahead of the 2-1 friendly win at Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday but Holloway is well aware that more work is needed before the Premier League season kicks off.

"We're trying to bridge that gap as quickly as we can," said the former Blackpool boss.

"I am watching players and players and players and players and players until I get that balance in the group that I want.

"The chairman is learning, I am finding out how even more difficult it is compared to last time because of the zillions of extra quid that everybody's got.

"Everybody's asking for all sorts of things and it is almost ridiculous to get a deal done.

"But my chairman is a bright fella and learning very, very quickly and hopefully some of the deals we need to get done, so I have at least four weeks with someone to impress on them."

Atdhe Nuhiu, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Osman Sow and Elliot Grandin all featured as triallists against the Daggers.

Holloway added: "It would be totally unfair to make any decisions today so I might use some of them again on Tuesday against Gillingham if their agents will let me.

"That is the first game for them and you should never judge anyone on their first game.

"They've bedded in with us and I quite like them as people so I will have some tough decisions to make."