Women's

Williams loves the competition for places

Albion defender Victoria Williams says no one in the squad can take their place for granted, as Albion aim for three points against West Ham United today.

By Bruce Talbot • 19 January 2020

By Paul Hazlewood
Victoria Williams speaks to the media ahead of Sunday's game.

The centre-back is relishing the competition for places in Albion’s squad this season, even if it means she is not playing in every game.

Hope Powell takes her team to West Ham United today knowing that victory would lift them above the Hammers into eighth in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

The 29-year-old has made nine appearances this season, including Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester United in the quarter-final of the Continental Cup, but knows she has to maintain a consistent level of performance on the pitch and in training as Albion’s squad evolves and improves.

She said, “I’ve always said that competition for places is a good thing for the squad. The additions we have made this season have brought different styles to the team, and bringing players in from the continent as we’ve done, also helps develops English players as well - there is a lot we can gain from it.

“Competition for places keeps the squad fresh and we all know there is no room for complacency.”

03:56

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Women's highlights: Man Utd 2 Albion 1

Despite Wednesday’s defeat, Williams felt Albion produced a marked improvement in their performance having lost 4-0 in the league game to United earlier in the season. She believes they can take confidence from how they played into Sunday’s encounter.  

“In the league game we didn’t put in a performance at all, so Wednesday was about righting those wrongs, and we did that in abundance. We were disappointed not to progress, but we always talk about bridging the gap between ourselves and the teams at the top, so taking one of those sides to the edge is a big positive for us.”

06:52

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Williams's West Ham press conference

Albion have taken seven of their nine points off teams in the bottom half of the table but draws against Chelsea, fourth-placed Reading and Arsenal, in the Continental Cup, are evidence that they can compete with the stronger clubs, although Williams acknowledges that they need to aim their sights a little lower first.

“It’s important we take points from the teams around us,” she added. “There is a gulf appearing at the top of the table now and although we want to win against those teams, the games against those sides aren’t life or death.

“But we know how important Sunday’s game is, as we can climb above them in the table.

“We felt we were inconsistent in the first half of the season and consistency is what we are looking for now, it’s something we talked about a lot.

“There is pressure, but we can take joy from the fact we had a good result at West Ham last season when we won 4-0. We know that whoever plays or comes off the bench on Sunday is capable of helping us get a result.”