Hope Powell has reflected on a 'surreal' 2020 ahead of the WSL's resumption this weekend.
Hope, it's been a strange 12 months. How do you look back on those weeks in March when everything changed?
Those few days when we went from playing games in front of our supporters to completely shutting down the club were surreal. No one was prepared for it of course but I think the way everyone at the club reacted and got things going again quite quickly was amazing and says a lot about the players and people behind the scenes.
You and your staff had to think on your feet didn't you?
Yes, because once we were in lockdown and knew that wouldn't change for a while we had to make sure the girls kept on top of their fitness. The way everyone rallied round to deliver gym equipment and then set up sessions on Zoom so we could keep in touch was really uplifting. We made the best of a bad situation and I think it's testament to the way the girls took up the challenge that when we did come back their fitness levels were really good.
And then you returned to training in July. I guess the feeling then was relief more than anything.
It was. There were still lots of protocols so everyone stayed safe but it was just great to be back together. The season had been abandoned by then so we could focus on the new one and, of course, integrating the new players.
You mention the new faces, seven of them in total. Did the Covid situation make it harder for them to settle in?
Not really, because we have a warm and welcoming environment at the club, and they all settled in very quickly. It helped that the weather was nice, we were back outside, and we had a goal to work towards which was a new season. I thought we were in a really good place when we kicked off again in September.
How do you assess the first half of the season?
I think we have improved from last season, but there's always a caveat and that's we perhaps should have a few more points on the board and be sitting in a higher position. At the start of the season we wanted to have a change of mindset, to go on that pitch, no matter who we were playing, feeling that we could compete. The draw with Manchester City in September was a confidence boost for everyone. I think we have been competitive for the most part, especially against the top four. We did well against Chelsea last month and were unlucky to lose 1-0. I'd like to think that when we play these sides again this season that we can have better results.
What needs to improve in the second half of the campaign?
I think it's just consistency really and that means during matches themselves and from game to game. The WSL is so competitive now that you can't afford to drop your levels otherwise you will be punished. If we can find a higher level of consistency that will lead to better results and of course the players will feel more confident.
Do you plan to do any business in the January window?
Well, we have lost Denise O'Sullivan, who has gone back to America at the end of her loan spell and we wish her well, she's a great person and a very talented player. I am hoping we can bring in one new face but what's important is that we are getting players back from injury. Ellie Brazil has been out for 13 months so that almost feels like a new signing. If we can steer clear of injuries that will really help us.
Finally, what's Hope's hope for 2021?
We have a lot to look forward to as we move into our new facilities at the training ground in the summer which will be a massive step forward for the club. I'm like everyone else really, I hope we're back to normal as soon as possible after a challenging 12 months. I am looking forward to the day when I don't to have a Covid test and wear a mask!