Jo Potter says Crystal Palace ‘have got some great memories’ at the main stadium as they prepare to host Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
Crystal Palace have had a good start to their season. The newly-promoted side won their first game against Everton by a goal to nil, although the team are under investigation for making a substitution having already used their three allowed windows.
The Eagles kept Arsenal at bay in a 0-0 draw last week with an impressive defensive performance. Palace only had 20 percent of possession and faced 30 shots. Looking back at that game, Potter reminds the press of the flexibility of her game plan.
“We didn’t prepare to set up in a low block against Arsenal”, says Potter. “I think that’s, you know, you end up in that position, and you have to kind of work for every eventuality. And we knew that that would be a possibility and we knew what it looked like if that was the case.”
Potter was ‘delighted’ for Pauline Peyraud-Magnin after Arsenal performance
Star of the defensive show was Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, the experienced goal keeper signed on loan from NWSL-side Denver Summit. Potter was adamant experience was a must between the sticks in the summer transfer window,
“Yeah, I think a lot of people will comment and saying it went under the radar. Nobody even actually remembered that, that transfer happening, but it was,” Potter says. “Yeah, we said that we wanted experience to bring in to this squad and for this league, and she definitely has that. And she showed up on Sunday and showed exactly what she’s about.
“When you’ve got a keeper between the sticks that, when it’s called upon, is making saves after save and producing a performance like that, then that’s exactly why you bring them in. So, yeah, I was delighted for Pauline on Sunday that she could bring up that performance when, when she was needed.”
Potter says ‘it’s great’ to be back at Selhurst Park
Now, Potter’s attention turns towards Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Palace host the Lilywhites at Selhurst Park, the club’s main stadium. Palace’s women’s team normally play at Borough Sports Ground, making this occasion a special one. Potter is looking forward to the event,
“It’s great to be back at Selhurst”, Potter expresses. “The players have got some great memories of there. I think it just shows that we want to be playing there as much as possible when we can, when fixtures align and when they meet. But yeah, I think it’s a good chance to get back to Selhurst early in the season and hopefully put on a good performance.”
Potter lauds ‘efficient’ Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur have invested in their squad heavily recently. They came fifth in last season’s final table, just four points behind fourth placed Manchester United. Potter is very complimentary of the work Tottenham Hotspur have done,
“You know, Tottenham are a really strong outfit”, Potter states. “They keep getting stronger and stronger each, each transfer window. You can see the quality and the efficiency of the players that they bring in. They’ve got a style and a way of playing that, that’s difficult to go against for the majority of the game with how intense they play.
“But you know, there’s always elements that you can try and work on and try and break down and give the players little bits of ideas that can hurt them in certain moments. So yeah, it’s going to be a tough game. And as I said, they’re a really efficient team that, do things a certain way and are very good at it.”
Potter hopeful for a ‘full squad’
Summer signing Bethany England had to miss out on the match against her Arsenal with a minor injury. Potter says that she is hopeful that the squad will be complete again on Sunday. This would mean that the scorer of 74 goals in the WSL era makes her return to the squad.
Crystal Palace host Tottenham Hotspur at 14:00 BST on Sunday. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports.
