Bristol City Women’s head coach Lauren Smith admitted in her pre-match press conference that the Barclays Women’s Super League keeps her side on their toes, as they get set for a tough assignment at Liverpool on Sunday.
The Robins make the trip to Prenton Park looking for a good end to the year, but the BS3-based side know how tough of a test Matt Beard’s side – and Chelsea the following week – will give.
She is looking to round off 2023 positively, telling reporters: ‘I think it’s been a crazy WSL season to start with, there’s been no inconsistency.’
‘I’m not complaining about it because it means we’ve had games that everyone can play in including the Conti Cup, we were talking as staff and no week has been the same.’
‘It’s been chopping and changing and keeps you on your toes but it stops you getting into a rhythm which I’m looking forward to in January when we’ll have games on weekends but try to get more time on the pitch to develop.’
Embed from Getty Images‘It’s important we try and get a style of play and how we’re going to get points on the board, we have four points on the board and being the new faces in the league, you’ve got to roll with the demands of it.’
‘We’re all Bristol City born and bred and will go for it, I’m pleased with where we’ve got to, although we’ve had injuries – we’ve still managed to perform and put a strong team out at weekends.’
Bristol City were encouraged by their display against Manchester United recently, being competitive before conceding two quick goals ten minutes after the restart – and Smith wants those performance levels to remain.
‘We were pleased that we kept a clean sheet for large chunks of that game,’ Smith told reporters.
‘The focus is that we don’t slip up in those moments when teams are on top, the focus for 90 minutes is still something we’re working on – we’re looking for that consistency.’
‘We did well on the ball against Everton but the type of opposition Manchester United were changed that for us, I hope to see us have more of the ball on Sunday.’
‘Everyone has the hunger and desire to do well, it’s an opportunity to meet that now on Sunday and we’ll do what we can, we’ve got to a good place just now, there’s obviously two games before Christmas but Liverpool and Chelsea are two tough sides.
‘January will be a huge month with the opposition we’ve got so would absolutely love to pick up points.’
