DESPITE the club's off field problems Palace target man Alan Lee insists this current campaign has been the most enjoyable of his footballing career.

The Irish centre forward has been a huge plus for the Eagles this season, transforming his status at Selhurst Park with a number of hard working performances alone up front.

Lee scored his sixth goal of the campaign against Sheffield United on Saturday and, although last night's defeat to Bristol City took some of the gloss of that result, he says he is currently loving his time at the club.

"I'm so happy here, I think this is the best season I've had in football, certainly the most consistent and I've relished the challenge," he said. "I've really enjoyed every minute of it."

Lee admitted the 1-0 defeat to Bristol City was hard to take but insists the team have enjoyed working with new manager Paul Hart in the short amount of time he has been at the club.

"I think the lads have been very impressed with him and I think he has very quickly gained the respect of the squad," he said.

"We were off the boil [against Bristol City] and I think we looked a bit leggy. But, the same way we didn't get too high when we won against Sheffield on Saturday, we won't get too down after this defeat either.

"I've been down in a relegation fight before and there will be lots of ups and downs before the season is out."

*For all the latest Palace news, including Paul Hart's first exclusive column as Eagles manager, see Friday's Croydon Advertiser