Misfiring Newcastle eased to 1-0 Capital One Cup second-round victory at Gillingham on Tuesday - but only courtesy of ex-Mackem John Egan's own goal.
Alan Pardew: "I just think we've shown real solid team performances in the three matches so far, without really getting a break in front of goal.
"So many times we could have got a break tonight and we could have got a second or third goal and it didn't happen for us.
"I'm hoping to get a break on Saturday, we just need one break.
"It would be nice to score two or more goals on Saturday.
"The way Palace play, how quick they are on the break, you sense that they could score, so it might mean we do need to get two or three goals so that's what our focus must be.
"The scoreline didn't really reflect our dominance.
"I've been here many times as a manager. I've played here, and done a lot of scouting here too.
"It's a very, very difficult place to come. And yet we controlled the game more or less all the way through.
"I'm pleased but a bit frustrated we didn't score more than the one.
"They gave up a lot of space in midfield to play that extra centre-half. It was difficult to penetrate their three centre-halves.
"But I can't be too disappointed, I thought our application to the game was great. Our two centre-halves typified that, particularly the skipper.
"Absolute respect we showed Gillingham tonight, and that's how you get wins at places like this."