- Man City face Crystal Palace in WSL action on Sunday
- Palace promoted up to top tier last season
- Taylor not underestimating opponents
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor insists his side are determined to remain focused as they prepare to face Crystal Palace this Sunday in the Women's Super League (WSL).
City will seek to extend their unbeaten run this Sunday as they travel to face newly promoted Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Cityzens are yet to taste defeat in the 2024/25 season, having won eight of their nine competitive fixtures so far. Taylor packed on the praise for his playing group when asked to reflect on the impressive run.
"Of course our results have been great, but I think that's down to our performances," he explained. "I think the attitude from the players has been spot on. They've been really calm. We're not panicking. We know we're capable and the players have showed that we fight until the end."
City's upcoming opponents have started well considering their jump from the Championship to the WSL, taking four points from their last two games. Taylor was fast to pay his respect to Laura Kaminski and her Eagles team.
"I think it's impressive what they're doing," Taylor continued. "I think what has been impressive is their performances over the last few games, and now their performances are starting to turn into points.
"So we are under no illusions that we're against a tough, solid opponent who'd be fighting for every single challenge. We need to be ready for that, and we will be. "
Sunday will be the first time that the two sides will face each other in the WSL - a new challenge for which Taylor assured his side will be well-prepared.
"Of course we study them like we do all opponents," Taylor said. "Of course we would potentially have a better understanding of the teams we face more often, and of what the game plan will look like. But we're pretty solid, and having had this international break, our focus has been on Crystal Palace for sure.
"The players are really bright in the sense that they're really able to pick up where the spaces are likely to be, how that's going to be different for us. Theft’ve taken on the information really well and we need to be prepared for various systems that Crystal Palace could play at the weekend."
Lauren Hemp was recently crowned October's Player of the Month after a standout few games in the WSL, registering two goals and two assists across three games.
"I've seen huge growth in Lauren's game," Taylor reflected. "I think it's great that she's been recognised with Player of the Month. I think it was really solid month for her, because she really drove the team to high levels. She’s a very intelligent player, very humble person to work with, and has a really open mindset to growth. She's a real solid member of the team.
"She's taken on that extra responsibility now, which is great. She's suggesting things, she's helping young players, even though she's a young player herself. I’m really enjoying seeing this new kind of maturity."
