Soaring Eagles: Laura Kaminski’s Impact on Crystal Palace Women’s ‘upward trajectory’ – scout report

The WSL’s title fight might be dominating conversations around the English women’s game at the moment, but there is an equally exciting battle taking place at the top of the Women’s Championship. At least four teams are in genuine contention to lift the second-tier trophy and secure a place in next season’s top-flight campaign.

One of those is Crystal Palace Women, who have undergone a considerable transformation under new head coach Laura Kaminski, who took over a team fighting in mid-table and who had the third-worst defensive record and turning them into a side that is now playing an attractive style of play and that sits second in the table at the time of writing, just a point behind current leaders Sunderland Women.

There is no doubt when watching them that she has worked wonders with the players and has got them moving in the right direction after struggling to assert their credentials beforehand. This tactical analysis will examine how she has turned them around and why they are now seen as genuine promotion contenders.

Attacking threat

Whilst the majority of conversations about Crystal Palace Women last season revolved around their defensive issues, what has got people talking this time around is the quality of their attacking play. They find the net 1.36 times more per game than they did last season and constantly prove to be a tough team to keep out.

This is thanks in no small part to Wales striker Elise Hughes, with the former Everton Women attacker undoubtedly the standout name in their squad following her 19 goals in all competitions (14 of which have come in the league).

However, whilst her ability to play on the shoulder and to offer all of the things that a target player should has been evident in their games, what has really made her such a vital part of the furniture for her side is her ability to hold up play and to bring others into the game, allowing them to shine too and giving Crystal Palace multiple ways of breaking their opponents down.