Inside track on Palace | Rachel Steinberg | OneFootball

Our first away game of the new year sees us make a short trip to Crystal Palace in the Barclays Women’s Super league on Sunday afternoon (2pm UK).

Competing in their first-ever season in the top flight, the Eagles have picked up five points in 11 league games so far, including an important win over Leicester City and draws with Everton and Liverpool in the first half of the campaign.

Ahead of our clash this weekend, we had a chat with journalist Rachel Steinberg to get a lowdown on our opponents…

How would you reflect on Palace’s first half of the season in the WSL?

Rachel: “It has been a steep learning curve for Palace who - unexpectedly for some - secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history last season.

“That meant both a physical adjustment to the pace and intensity of the WSL, and a considerable mental shift, going from consistently picking up points and scoring goals to trying to claw their way out from the bottom of the table and needing to quickly bounce back from sometimes heavy defeats.

“They have nevertheless shown a tremendous amount of resilience and determination, and the mood in south London still seems very positive despite their league position.

“They have also had to make do without Elise Hughes - last campaign’s Championship Golden Boot winner, who was responsible for 16 goals in 21 league appearances last before rupturing her ACL in April. She returned to full training last week.”

Who have been the standout players so far and what reinforcements have they brought in during January so far?

Rachel: “Annabel Blanchard is Palace’s top scorer, netting three of their eight WSL goals this season (also adding an assist), including two at Leicester that secured the Eagles their first WSL win.

“My Cato - one of Palace’s summer signings - is a creative Swedish midfielder who seems to be growing more and more into her game and the WSL.

“American goalkeeper Shae Yanez has also kept Palace in a number of matches with some brilliant saves, so she deserves more credit than the statistics might suggest!

“Palace have made two new additions in the last week: a ball-carrying Finland midfielder named Ria Oling and Clarissa Larisey, a speedy Canadian forward.”

How has Laura Kaminski adapted in her first campaign in the WSL?

Rachel: “I would say very well. She is straightforward, grounded and realistic about where Palace are and where they need to - and can - aim.

“Laura seems particularly good at managing expectations, certainly in terms of what happens on the pitch and what she wants out of her players, but also the team’s relationship with their fans.

“As she has pointed out on multiple occasions, supporters from the outset of the season have really seemed to appreciate that this side is a work-in-progress, and they have very much embraced being on that journey together.

“It’s also been great to see a homegrown, English female manager (and former Spurs assistant) leading a WSL side, as that is becoming rarer these days."

How should we expect Palace to set-up and approach the game on Sunday?

Rachel: “It will be interesting to see how and when Kaminski employs either of her new signings, if at all - she has stressed that they are taking a careful approach to building both into their new environment.

“I imagine you will see a much more organised, collected and confident side from that 4-0 defeat in September. Tottenham away would be a tough ask for anyone to open a season, let alone a WSL debut - Kaminski described it as a “rude awakening” - but they will have learned a lot from that season opener.

“Palace will likely sit low and defend for significant periods of the game, capitalise on and create momentum in counterattacks and look to punish any mistakes.”

Watch - Vilahamn speaks to the media ahead of Palace clash