Manager Davenport says Selhurst crowd can spur team on v Charlton

Women

1 Oct 2022

Crystal Palace Women manager Dean Davenport has said another large crowd at Selhurst Park can boost his team when they take on Charlton Athletic this weekend.

The last time Palace Women played in SE25 they drew a record-breaking crowd of over 1,800 people. They return to the stadium on Sunday, 20th November for a 14:00 kick-off with their south London neighbours.

“A massive impact,” Davenport said of Palace’s fans. “It’s a cliché about being the 12th person but I think the crowd we got here last time was amazing, absolutely amazing.

“I think it did spur the girls on and regardless of the result I think we played some very good stuff in front of that crowd. Hopefully we can get the same crowd here if not even more against Charlton.”

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Davenport has his own personal reasons for enjoying a Selhurst clash, too. As a Palace fan he’s led the team out at his home stadium repeatedly, but says each occasion brings a new opportunity to relish.

“I’ve been a supporter, as everyone knows, myself,” he said. “So it’s a dream come true for me. I’ve done it a couple of times now and each time I come here I expect different challenges.”

To build up to the game Palace trained at Selhurst mid-week, being put through their paces behind Davenport as he spoke with Palace TV.

Davenport speaks about women's fixture v Charlton at Selhurst Park

He feels that session could make the marginal difference needed to win.

“There will be a different challenge against Charlton but for the players it’s their second time this season, so I’m hoping that today will give us that 1% gain we want. Familiarising yourself with the stadium for the players is a good thing. If we can gain that 1% hopefully that will take it into Sunday’s game.

“I think Charlton are kind of in the same position as us. They brought a few players in early in the season and started off really well, a bit like ourselves. All of a sudden they hit a dip, like we did, and they came out of the dip on Sunday like we did the previous Sunday against Durham.

“I think we can expect a tough game. It’s always a tough game against Charlton, our rivals, but I think it’s a game we’ll look to take points from, and hopefully carry on throughout the rest of the season.”

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