Club news

Rafferty Guarding Against Complacency

By James Hilsum • 06 May 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Laura Rafferty is guarding against complacency ahead of today’s match against bottom club Watford at Culver Road.

Albion take on a Hornets side that have yet to pick up a win in FA WSL 2 this season, but Rafferty insists that will count for nothing on the day.

She said, “Every game is different and regardless of Watford’s results, you can’t treat the game in any other way.

“We lost to London Bees and then beat Doncaster, so you have to go into each game on top form and know that anything can happen in this league. We need to have a positive mind-set to try and get the three points.

“We know that they’re going to provide us with a physical test, and we’re a side that likes to play football. They’ll be trying to prevent that and we know it’s going to be tough regardless of their results.”

Rafferty reflected on the hard-fought win over Aston Villa last Sunday, which came on her 22nd birthday, and she praised the constant support from the fans.

“I don’t think it was one of our best performances, but it gives us something to improve on heading into the Watford game.

“The most important thing was to get a result. We know there’s more to come, but to be disappointed with a win just shows what we’re really looking for and our ambition.

“A couple of us were a bit disappointed that we didn’t perform as well as we could and forgot that we won! That shows the high standards we set ourselves.

“The fans were brilliant again and they have always been loyal. There is gradually more interest now and will always come up to speak to you.

“We all want to go interact with the fans, whether that’s on social media or in person.

“We want to give something back and this is why we want to get results for them. I got a few nice birthday presents and cards from them too, which was nice!”

Read more from Rafferty in the matchday magazine for Sunday’s game, priced at £2 and available on the turnstiles at Culver Road.

Tickets will be available on the gate, with adult entry at £10 and under-16/65+ tickets priced at £5.