Brighton & Hove Albion defender Fern Whelan is looking at yesterday’s 0-0 draw against Bristol City positively, saying it is one point gained rather than two lost.
Whelan also explained how Albion were unlucky not to get the decisive goal and that the disappointment will spur them on to work harder.
She said, “Playing away from home, we’ll look at this as a point gained rather than two points lost. We would have liked to have got the win of course, and I think we deserved to do so, but we’re happy with a point.
“We’re starting to show what we can do and we are starting to build up relationship across the back line.
“We’ve been a little disjointed with injuries over the course of the season but the past few games have shown that we can claim clean sheets. Now it’s about going forward and putting the ball in the back of the net.
“The ball just wouldn’t fall for us. They have a really decent goalkeeper [Sophie Baggaley] and she made a few really good saves so you have to give her credit for that.
“I think we looked really dangerous from set pieces as well so that is a really big positive, so we’ll take that on to the training ground and look to build on it.”
The defender also highlighted how the point gained means that it keeps the team’s future in the Women’s Super League in their own hands, and spoke about her personal run in the team after missing much of the season through injury.
“It’s completely in our hands and we’ve now had a few games which have allowed the girls to build confidence and showing what we can do.
“We need to take points from the teams who are around us and look to stay in the games from the teams who are towards the top of the table, but we have lots of positives to take forward.
“We’ve got a lot of pace going forward and we are really learning how to use it now. We have a new player in Megan Connolly and I think she’s slotted in nicely, which is good.
“I’m massively happy to be back in the squad. For me, every game that I get under my belt playing the full 90 minutes is helping me build confidence as well.
“Hopefully I’ve helped give the girls some confidence and experience into the backline and the team in general. I just want to keep getting games under my belt and building from there.
The 30-year-old then looked ahead to Albion’s next home fixture against Birmingham City on Wednesday 20th February, and predicted an exciting match.
“We know what to expect from Birmingham having played them before, they are obviously a tight-knit team who are difficult to break down and pace up front.
“We have our own areas where we can be dangerous, so it will be a very good game.”
Tickets are on sale for Albion’s next home FA Women’s Super League match against Birmingham City on Wednesday 20th February. Visit BrightonAndHoveAlbion.com/tickets to buy yours now.