Crystal Palace Women should head into Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa with a full squad available, according to manager Jo Potter, as the team prepares for a demanding stretch of seven games in four weeks.
Potter said Fuka Tsunoda is back from suspension, which means Palace have their full group available from the options they have had for much of the past couple of months. That is an important boost at a time when managing fitness, freshness and selection is becoming more difficult.
Potter: the workload has to be managed carefully
Palace’s recent schedule has already tested the squad. Last week, they drew 3-3 with Birmingham City in a match Potter described as a game of two halves, with the manager saying her side were unhappy with the first half. In mid-week, they responded with a 3-0 win over Charlton at Sutton United in the Subway Players Cup.
Speaking earlier today in her pre-match press conference, Potter said the team has been discussing how to handle a three-game week and the wider demands of the run they are in. She said it is a balancing act, with the coaching staff having to consider the load on the players while making sure Palace stay competitive across the full game.
“We should have a full squad. We've obviously got Fuka [Tsunoda] back from her suspension, so we have a full squad to pick from in terms of what we've had available for the past couple of months,” Potter said.
She added that Palace cannot press for the full match every time, and instead must be clever about when to step forward and when to absorb pressure. That approach fits the challenge of the schedule and the varied demands of a busy week.
What Sunday means for Palace
On Tuesday, Aston Villa parted ways with Head Coach Natalia Arroyo, adding another layer of uncertainty to the match at Villa Park. For Palace, though, the main focus is on making the most of a full squad and staying disciplined through the next stage of the schedule.
Potter said Palace want to be a team that plays on the front foot when they can, but also one that can suffer at certain times and still stay in the contest. With seven games in four weeks ahead, that flexibility may be just as important as any tactical detail.
