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Powell: We must be better

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Hope Powell admitted that the performance in today’s 4-0 defeat to Arsenal was not good enough, and says it is vital her players raise their standards in the coming weeks.

By James Hilsum • 29 September 2019

By Geoff Penn
Hope Powell on the touchline at Meadow Park.

The reigning Barclays FA Women’s Super League champions claimed all three points after goals from Kim Little, Vivianne Miedema, Danielle Van De Donk and Jordan Nobbs, and Powell felt her team made too many errors on the day.

She said, “You’ve got to show up against a team like Arsenal with the quality and depth that they have in the squad.

“We knew we’d have to concede ground and they would have more of the ball, but you’ve got to be prepared to fight. We were certainly a bit lacklustre today, and didn’t do the basics well enough.

“They’ve got to take a look at themselves and reflect on what could’ve been done better. We’ve got to work out why so many players were not on their game, and we must improve.

“I don’t mind if we lose and have a go, but not only did we lose, I don’t feel as though we had a go, and that’s the most disappointing thing.”

Powell looked at the bigger picture of Albion’s overall start to the season, and while she is satisfied with their progress, she reiterated the need for her players to find a clinical touch in front of goal.

“We’re definitely in a better place than where we were last season, but we need to find that level of consistency.

“Everyone would like a striker that could put the ball in the back of the net, but we’ve got to work on the bigger parts of our game to ensure the ball does get in that final third and we create opportunities to score.”

Albion’s next game is not for another fortnight due to the upcoming international break, but Powell says the players staying at base will still put in the hard work on the training pitch.

“We’ll still be on the grass. We’ve got a few international players that are going away, and it gives us some time to deal with the little injuries that we have within the squad.

“There will be a break from the games, but everybody will be in tomorrow and we’ll still have a normal schedule for the rest of the week.”


Tickets for our next home FA WSL encounter against West Ham United on Sunday 13th October, kick-off 2pm, are available to buy in advance at a price of £4 for adults and £2 for over-65s and under-18s (including a £1 online booking fee – tickets purchased in person or over the phone have an additional 50p booking fee).

To get yours, visit tickets.BrightonAndHoveAlbion.com or call the Albion Booking line on 0844 327 1901 (calls cost seven pence per minute plus your network access charge).