Women's

Powell: Showcase yourselves against the best

Hope Powell is encouraging her players to rise to the challenge of facing Chelsea this weekend before Arsenal in a fortnight’s time, and prove they can take on the league's best sides.

By James Hilsum • 13 September 2019

By Paul Hazlewood
Hope Powell speaking ahead of the Chelsea game.

The Blues visit The People’s Pension Stadium on Sunday in what is Albion’s first home match of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League campaign, and Powell says her team should go into such contests with a fearless attitude.

She said, “We recognise they’re two of the top teams in the country, but the pressure isn’t on us, it’s on them to perform and win because the expectation is for them to do so.

“It’s about showing their worth and competing. You’ve got nothing to lose and more to gain and they’re the messages we keep reiterating to the players. The girls are relishing the opportunity to test themselves against the best, and why not? It’s about being positive and taking a chance to showcase your own talents.

“All the attention will be on them, so it’s up to our players to go and prove that they’re as good as them, if not better.”

11:29

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Powell's Chelsea press conference

The Albion manager looked at the FAWSL as a whole and feels the division is gradually becoming more closely contested, but stressed the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and a strengthened Manchester United side are still some way ahead of the rest.

“There is still a top three and possibly a top four, given Man United and the recruitment they’ve made. The brand they have means they will always attract top quality.

“Those teams will have a core full of international players and there’s effectively a league within a league there. But on the flip side, the fact that all the teams are full-time now means everyone can prepare better and it makes the league competitive.

“The league will be more competitive than most, but I still think that the top three are slightly ahead of everyone else.”

01:09

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Attention turned to the record number of FAWSL season tickets sold ahead of the new season, and Powell stressed the need to keep spreading the word and encourage as many fans as possible through the turnstiles.

“There was a lot of momentum after the World Cup and the challenge now is to see whether it’s sustainable, but the initial response at Brighton with over 500 season tickets sold before a ball was kicked showed the momentum is carrying through.

“Now it’s about sustaining that momentum and we want those fans to come and support the women’s game week in, week out.”

Advance tickets are available to purchase online today at tickets.BrightonAndHoveAlbion.com.

After this point, you can buy tickets on the day at The People's Pension Stadium, priced at £6 for adults and £3 for over-65s and under-18s.