The reason for the malaise at Selhurst Park in recent years.

Crystal Palace face an uphill battle on Saturday as high flying Nottingham Forest visit Selhurst Park on the back of six straight victories.

Conversely the Eagles suffered their first defeat in four on Tuesday night at the Walkers. Despite making all the running in the first half as the same old problem seemed to be haunting this squad, goals. Palace have the dubious record of producing the lowest number of individual goal scorers in the league. Is their more though to worry the Selhurst faithful, with our top scorer being midfielder, Darren Ambrose?

This is a problem that has haunted us since the departure of Clinton Morrison in the summer of 2008. It can surely be said that the current crop of strikers are among the worst and least exciting I’ve seen at the club in all the time I’ve followed Palace. When you've seen the likes of Ian Wright, Mark Bright, Chris Armstrong, Dougie Freedman, Clinton Morrison and Andrew Johnson in their pomp, seeing Alan Lee ploughing a lone furrow up-front doesn't really get the juices flowing.

Indeed this isn't helped I don't think, by Warnock's persistence of with the 4-3-3 formation as this all to often reverts to a 4-5-1, leaving Victor Moses, our most naturally gifted player and a natural striker playing as a winger with either Sean Scannell or young loanie Freddie Sears. This has lead to a lack of width and delivery from wide areas which in turn negates the need to play the much maligned Alan Lee.

There is hope on the horizon mind you. In his brief cameos, summer signing Stern has impressed many and looks to be a very sharp forward who knows what areas to be in to score goals. But once again he would be more suited to 4-4-2 playing upfront with a partner, possibly Victor Moses, who with his pace and trickery would occupy defenders and leave space for the veteran forward.

Another option could be the latest group of exciting youngsters who could be set to make their impact in the coming months. The most promising of which include Nathanial Pinney and Keiran Cadogan who have struck up a great understanding for the reserve side. Palace assistant boss Mick Jones today revealed: "Cadogan and Pinney are scoring goals every time they play and are forming a terrific partnership. They are certainly another two for the future. I am sure they’ll come into the first team again this season. Kids who score goals suddenly become confident - and they can take that onto Selhurst Park."

Hopefully the pair can continue their form into the first team and cure the great Selhurst striker drought. Or should that have been put, they better continue their form and fulfil their great promise? As the academy is the only hope we Palace fans can cling to have while the transfer embargo remains well and truly in place as we struggle to pay for the mighty Alan Lee.