Jo Potter on turning performances into points, Sunderland's strengths and the return of Aimee Everett

Women

10 Oct 2025

Crystal Palace Women's Manager Jo Potter has given an insight into a week of high-intensity training following the 2-2 draw against Newcastle, emphasising the need for more aggression and focus in games. She also looked ahead to the Sunderland match on Sunday, and provided a fitness update on several key players.

Potter confirmed the squad has been conducting honest reviews of the Newcastle game, whilst adjusting the training schedule to help address key areas.

Reflecting on the 2-2 draw last Sunday, she said: "We've highlighted a few areas that we weren't too happy with on Sunday.

"There were a lot of good moments, but we've focused on our intensity in training this week, specifically on how we can up our intensity and our aggressiveness in games.

"That's been the focus at the start of the week, the out-of-possession work and how we're moving and our intent in our movements.

"Towards the end of the week, we'll look more at the in-possession stuff and the tactical stuff. So we've blocked the week up quite well."

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We don't want to rely on anybody else. We want to rely on ourselves to do well
—Jo Potter

The focus now is on translating effort into results, with the Manager feeling the team is close to a breakthrough.

She said: "There's been a really good chat with the players, so we're hoping to start turning these decent performances into three points. We feel like we're on the right path and we're not far off.

"A bit of luck would be lovely, you know. The rub of the green isn't going our way and it's just the way it is.

"That does turn, and you end up causing your own luck sometimes and we want to be that team. We don't want to rely on anybody else. We want to rely on ourselves to do well and kickstart our own luck."

Regarding the squad's availability for the weekend, Potter provided a positive update on key players returning to contention.

She said: "It's looking a lot healthier, Molly [Mae-Sharpe] picked up a niggle on Sunday. She's not trained this week, so we're waiting to see what she looks like closer to the weekend.

"But Aimee [Everett] is back in full training, which is brilliant. So she's back in contention.

"My Cato made the bench on Sunday. We thought it was a little bit too early for her to play too many minutes, but she's back in better contention after another week of training.

"Zara [Bailey] is edging a little bit closer, but still not quite there yet, and we still need a little bit more information on Lola [Brown]. So, yeah, we're getting closer and closer to full strength."

Looking ahead to Sunday's opposition, Potter highlighted Sunderland's established quality in the league and their characteristic determination.

She said: "Yeah, they're a difficult team. They've been a very, very good WSL2 team for a number of years now. Mel [Reay] has got them playing a certain way and they've played some really good football. They've scored some really good goals. They know what they do well.

"They've added some quality this year and they've got that grit and determination that you expect to see from a Sunderland side. So, as I say, week on week, no game is going to be easy.

"They're in a really good position and we know we're in for another tough test."

Palace take on Sunderland at 12:00 on Sunday, 12th October at the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton. Click the button below to get your tickets!

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