Molly Bartrip reflects on two months at Palace

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Bartrip swapped North for South London in August, penning a three-year contract at Palace after a five-year spell at Tottenham Hotspur.

She has proved to be an important part of Jo Potter's Palace defence, starting in every league game and keeping two clean sheets so far.

Recently, the defender spoke to the Five Year Plan podcast about her move to SE25, what's it like to play under her former teammate and how she manages the intensity of professional football.

Click here to listen to the full episode!

Bartrip shared some insight into her move to Palace, and how the move came about.

"Ultimately, I had the conversation with Jo. I really bought into what she wanted to do here, the ambition of the club. The facilities show that as well.

"It comes hand-in-hand in that way, but with the type of players that she wanted to bring in, I was like: 'I think I can help this team' and that's really what I want to do. I want to help the team grow," she said.

This move to Palace reunited Bartrip with Potter, with both players sharing a dressing room at Reading between 2017-2020.

The new Palace defender spoke about the relationship she has with the Manager.

Bartrip said: “I played with her where she could shout at me all she wants! Being teammates, it's completely different to having the respect of someone that is above you ultimately.

"I've always had that respect for Jo. I've always known what she's done in her career... so when I'm hearing her coach, I know what she's saying is correct."

A veteran of the league - Bartrip made her 150th appearance in the WSL in our 1-0 win over Everton, her debut for the club.

She reflected on that moment: "I think I would have dreamt of that as a kid, so I can't complain. I knew about it at the end of last year, and I was itching to obviously get on the pitch at Spurs, but it didn't happen.

"It felt right for it to happen on my debut at Palace."

Bartrip and the team travelled to the Emirates the next week, where they played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Arsenal.

This result proved to be particularly satisfying for the ex-Spurs defender.

"You know what's funny? I think I've played there I don't know how many times and I don't think I've ever picked up a point.

"So I know, and Beth [England] would know how hard it is. Shannon [O'Brien] would have known how hard it is to go there at the Emirates with all their fans, but it was our day.

"We could have even nicked it at times in the end of the game - that shows the character that we have, that we could still try and fight for something.

"Coming away with a draw at the Emirates is not a bad result for us, especially being newly-promoted. I still think there's a long way to go with us and I think you'll see more.

"I got a few messages after the game from the Spurs fans, and from some of the players as well!"

Bartrip has now been at the club for a little over two months now. She spoke about the various personalities in the Palace dressing room and who has helped her settle in at the club.

She said: "We've got some great characters in the group. Sometimes I literally shake my head and I'm like: 'I feel like a granny!'

"Caitlin [Cosme], I absolutely love her to bits. She's one of my favourites right now. I can't lie. I think for everybody, she brings such energy and such good vibes.

"I spend time with Caitlin and I just think: 'you make me laugh every day and I can't complain.'

"I think I can overthink a lot - I've been through a lot and I can sometimes take life too seriously and she kind of makes you do the opposite, and I need that sometimes. I think everyone does. We all need people like that in our lives."

"Lexi [Lloyd-Smith] has got a brilliant spirit about her. Everyone really brings something different to the table.

"You have also got a few like Jamie [Lee Napier], who loves to crack a joke as well. Sierra [Enge] is just the cutest human ever, you just go to her and you just want to smile.

"We've got such a nice group that you can look at everyone and be like: 'you know what? You're a good one.'"

The Palace No.30 reflected on the mental side of the game, and how demanding it can be sometimes.

Bartrip said: "You've got to look after your body, you've got to look after your mind.

"I think the best players have the best mentalities. I think the real winners know how to switch on and switch off, and I do think it's hard to get that work-life balance with football because it becomes everything to you.

"I've definitely struggled with that personally over the years, where I've just used all my energy for football to the point where I got home and I'm like: 'I can't even talk because I'm so drained' because I've just given everything: all my energy, the positives, the negatives, the trying to help everybody.

"It gets to a point where you can't do it. And you've got to know that when you get home, you can switch off.

"I go home, I watch The Traitors... I chill on my sofa and I do normal things. I go and see my family.

"I feel like sometimes you're seen as like these superheroes, but actually we're just people doing what we love every day and trying to fight for a football club."

She spoke about a particular moment that stood out to her in the Everton game.

Bartrip said: "I think I am an emotional girl. Even in games, I make one tackle and I cheer. I'm probably never going to change that.

"Sometimes it's that energy that you need to show that bounces off other people, and it also helps the crowd as well.

"I think I did it in the Everton game and Jo mentioned it after the game and she was like: 'I love that!'"

Finally, Bartrip reserved some praise for the Palace faithful, highlighting the buoyant atmosphere when the team play at home.

She said: "I think the fans have been great. At home games, you can really, really hear them and I think it helps - it's cliche, but it really does.

"I wouldn't say I'm the first person to go over to the fans at full-time - I get a little bit nervous. To be honest with you, I actually don't know if people know who I am.

"That's my mentality. I think they want Beth... or they want a Molly Sharpe or an Aimee Everett - the people that are bigger in my eyes.

"So I feel like I don't go over to them as much as maybe I should. I think I need people to shout at me to go over there, but maybe that's just my personality."