Brighton & Hove Albion defender Beth Roe feels that the team should play with freedom ahead of their FA Women’s Super League opener against Bristol City Women on Sunday, kick-off 2pm at the Broadfield Stadium, Crawley.
Roe believes Albion can use their underdog tag to their advantage, as they aim to consolidate their place in the women’s top flight this season.
Roe believes Albion can use their underdog tag to their advantage, as they aim to consolidate their place in the women’s top flight this season.
She said, “We’re heading into our first year at this level and our aim is to stay in this league, but we just want to play our best football and see what we can do.
“It’s about implementing that out on the pitch and putting it into game situations. There is no pressure on us when we come up against the likes of Chelsea and Man City, and we can just focus on playing our best football.
“It all starts on Sunday and it’s going to be such a good game; all the girls and coaching staff are excited.
“Bristol are such a good side and we don’t know how they’re going to come out, but as a team we’ve got a game plan that we’ll execute to the best of our ability. We’ll give it our best shot.”
With Roe set to play in the top flight for the first time, she explained how her decision to leave her hometown club has been vindicated and highlighted the support received from the players and coaching staff.
“I left home at 16 because back in Norwich there wasn’t much in terms of opportunities for women’s footballers to develop.
“It’s about implementing that out on the pitch and putting it into game situations. There is no pressure on us when we come up against the likes of Chelsea and Man City, and we can just focus on playing our best football.
“It all starts on Sunday and it’s going to be such a good game; all the girls and coaching staff are excited.
“Bristol are such a good side and we don’t know how they’re going to come out, but as a team we’ve got a game plan that we’ll execute to the best of our ability. We’ll give it our best shot.”
With Roe set to play in the top flight for the first time, she explained how her decision to leave her hometown club has been vindicated and highlighted the support received from the players and coaching staff.
“I left home at 16 because back in Norwich there wasn’t much in terms of opportunities for women’s footballers to develop.
"I had to move away. I had a few options to go to different clubs but felt this was a place where I could live and settle in well.
“Getting my first professional contract was only something I could dream of as a kid, and for my family to see it pay off is such a relief for them.
“It’s been a hard time, with a few ups and downs with an injury, but I’m finally getting to a place where I’m happy and this is where I want to be. All the coaching staff and everyone at the club is behind us, which has really helped me.”
The defender also praised Hope Powell’s influence in her development as a player, and explained how her meticulous attention to detail is benefitting the whole squad.
“Hope has such a wide range of knowledge and she picks up on the smallest details so that we avoid making mistakes in games.
“We know that if we correct the little things, then that will enable us to get some more points on the board. She has so much experience working with the very best players and everyone is learning from her. She’s had a huge influence on and off the pitch.”
“Getting my first professional contract was only something I could dream of as a kid, and for my family to see it pay off is such a relief for them.
“It’s been a hard time, with a few ups and downs with an injury, but I’m finally getting to a place where I’m happy and this is where I want to be. All the coaching staff and everyone at the club is behind us, which has really helped me.”
The defender also praised Hope Powell’s influence in her development as a player, and explained how her meticulous attention to detail is benefitting the whole squad.
“Hope has such a wide range of knowledge and she picks up on the smallest details so that we avoid making mistakes in games.
“We know that if we correct the little things, then that will enable us to get some more points on the board. She has so much experience working with the very best players and everyone is learning from her. She’s had a huge influence on and off the pitch.”
Tickets are available on the gate for this fixture at the Broadfield Stadium, with adult entry priced at £10, under-21s/over-65 tickets at £8, under-18s at £7 and under-10s at £4.