The ladies shine!
It has been a great start to our domestic season. We've played some excellent football, gotten brilliant results and proved many wrong. When I applied for this job and my application was accepted, many critics claimed that Arsenal ladies would suffer with such an inexperienced manager, I don't think that has been the case so far.
This has been a very busy month for us as we played a total of nine games, in multiple competitions winning eight and just losing a single game. Physically we’re strong and mentally we are strong. It’s very important that we are strong in both aspects, if not we will struggle in our matches.
Our one and only defeat came against Doncaster Rovers Belles, a game that we really should have won. We took the lead very early in the game, in fact just minutes after kick off. After that goal, the ladies got a bit carried away. Taking the lead so early in the game, away from home, versus such opposition, it was more or less a miracle. Our complacency led to us conceding two goals and leaving Doncaster empty handed. The girls were gutted but hopefully this would be a learning experience.
There is one thing I have been disappointed about and that is the amount of fixtures we have had to play, especially with very few days between each of our matches. This has now taken a toll on the condition of our players and this has had a negative effect on us. With a fairly thin squad, we’ve had to call up various u21’s to act as cover, some even started.
All in all, I’ve been extremely impressed with the ladies; even though it’s only a month in they’ve made me very proud! However some improvements need to be made. In training for the next month we will be working on ball control. Too often the ladies lacked composure on the ball and just whacked it hoping for a player to get onto it. I want them to be able to look up and find their team mate. Also it’s essential that they’re confident on the ball.
In the league we are currently lying in 1st place with a total of 12 points. Chelsea Ladies, who we defeated 3-1, are just behind us on goal difference. Hopefully we can create a gap at the top.
Meanwhile, in the Continental Cup, we are also leading our group, group A. So far we have played two games and have won two games meaning we currently have six points. Everton Ladies are in second place with three points.
Our UEFA Champions League quarter final isn’t till the 12th of June so we have plenty of time to prepare ourselves. Those two games will be season determining. All the ladies are raring to go following missing out in the past.
Here are our fixtures and results: