Brighton and Hove Albion manager Dario Vidošić told reporters his team want to be “perfect in every phase of the game” as they look to end a winless streak this weekend, and spoke on two of Brighton’s Lionesses – Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby.
Brighton have not won a Barclays Women’s Super League game since a 3-2 victory over West Ham at the Amex in November 2024, losing three and drawing two in that time. However, Vidošić said his side are starting to get back into their rhythm. He also revealed when Kirby could return from a calf injury that has ruled her out since December, and reacted to Parris’ first England nod in two years.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat did Dario Vidošić say?
The Seagulls’ dip in form has seen them slip to fifth, nine points outside the UEFA Women’s Champions League places. They have also been knocked out of the Subway Women’s League Cup by Arsenal, and the Adobe Women’s FA Cup by Aston Villa last weekend.
“I think with the gaps in between and after the winter break, we haven’t been too pleased,” Vidošić admitted. “I think we’re slowly starting to get our rhythm back and slowly starting to find our football again.
“It’s good to talk about our identity and development, all of these things, but inevitably we need to be able to get results to be able to back that up.
“We know we need to improve, especially since the winter break.”
“[Against West Ham] We want to to play our football, we want to try and dominate, I want to make that clear that’s with and without the ball – we want to be perfect in every phase of the game.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe return of Kirby would boost the team’s chances on Sunday, and Vidošić confirmed she is back in team training but urged caution.
“”We will have to have a look, she only started back with us at the start of the week, she’s still modified in some capacity of what she can and can’t do so we don’t want to throw her in straight away.
“We have to be smart, she was out for a quite substantial amount of time.”
Charlie Rule has a knock, while Aisha Masaka and Marita Auee should be back with the squad in the second week of the international break. Maisie Symonds is suspended after a red card in Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in their last league game.
Embed from Getty ImagesVidošić also praised summer signing Nikita Parris, who returns to the Engl;and fold after two years away. The 30-year-old already has 71 caps and 17 goals for England, and has scored nine goals in 19 appearances since leaving Manchester United for Brighton.
“We are always very happy when players are called up for the national team, I’m sure they always have that as their ambition because everyone wants to represent their country – especially with the Euros coming round the corner, we are thrilled.
“She leads from the front, she’s intense, she creates havoc up there and links the play well for us – she’s done all the right things and it’s always great to see that getting rewarded.”
The Seagulls will travel to the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday 16th February, with kick off at 15:00.
