Interviews

Powell: Great to start at home

Head coach on fixtures and pre-season so far.

By Bruce Talbot • 23 July 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
Hope Powell's team face West Ham on the opening team.

Head coach Hope Powell is pleased to be kicking off the new Barclays Women's Super League season with a home game.

Albion will entertain West Ham United on the weekend of September 3-5 before heading to Birmingham City a week later for their opening away fixture.

Albion did the double over the Hammers last season, winning both games 1-0 as they went on to end the season in sixth, their highest WSL finish.

Powell said, “You know the new season is that bit closer when the fixtures come out and I’m happy that we are at home for the first game.

“We had two really tight matches with West Ham last season and I don’t expect the next one will be any easier. But we will have our fans back in the stadium as well and I know the players are really looking forward to that.”

The squad, including new signing Danielle Carter, have been in training for nearly two weeks with only Inessa Kaagman, who is competing in the Olympic Games for Holland, missing.

Powell added, “We’ve had two very good weeks, despite the temperatures, with a good mix of ball and fitness work.

“The new season is still some way off but these early weeks of preparation are vital. We finished last season in our highest position but I’m sure the bar will be raised even higher next season, in terms of the competitiveness of the league and the teams in it. So we have to make sure we’re ready for that.”