Hope, how do you reflect on 2021 as a whole?
If we’d been having this conversation a year ago and you told me that we’d finish last season sixth, get as high as third this season, reach an FA Cup semi-final and get more players into international squads than ever before I might have wondered if you’d overindulged in the Christmas spirit! And that’s only what has happened on the pitch. It’s no coincidence that since we moved into our new training base and to use the world-class facilities there has been an improvement in our results, and there is so much more to come.
Yet the year didn’t start well did it?
I’ve spoken many times about the reset we had after losing 3-0 to Bristol City at the end of January. It came on the back of a 7-1 home defeat to Manchester City. It was certainly the lowest I have felt during my time at the club. I questioned myself and my methods. But the only thing you can do is work harder and work smarter and keep everyone pulling in the same direction. The players took ownership of the situation. The team meeting that they held in the wake of the Bristol game was a real turning point. They knew they could do a lot better individually and collectively, and that’s what happened.
Things turned with that famous win at Chelsea in February...
MA+ members & STH only - Log-in required
Log-in required
The determination the players showed that day was fantastic. Remember we went 1-0 down after five minutes and I’m sure everyone on the outside thought ‘here we go again.’ So, to win 2-1, well the confidence just flooded back into the team. I’ll never forget the scenes in our dressing room afterwards – wonderful! We won the next three games and even we had setbacks later in the season, like the home defeat to Everton, we bounced back the next week and beat Manchester United. It showed that, allied to their ability as footballers, we have a group of players with great character who believe in each other and themselves.
How pleased were you that after the summer break we carried on where we left off?
I was delighted – but not surprised. When we came back for pre-season I sensed the squad were ready to try and get to the next level, which for us is establishing ourselves in the top four and competing with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and the Manchester clubs on a consistent basis.
Results have dropped off in recent weeks. What do you put that down to?
I think it’s testament to the improvements we’ve made in the last 12 months that the other clubs are a lot more respectful of us, we’re seen as a bit of a scalp. I don’t think performance levels have dropped off but when those small margins don’t fall in your favour it can make a difference in such a competitive league. We’ve got a three-week break before our next game on 9 January against Manchester City. We’ve had quite a few injuries and Covid cases so the rest period has come at a good time. We’ll recharge our batteries and come back ready to attack the second half of the season, with a couple of new faces on board too all being well.
Good performances on the pitch have been reflected off it too, haven’t they?
MA+ members & STH only - Log-in required
Log-in required
It will be a while before we have the same profile as the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, but we’re getting there! The two games at the Amex this season have been really well supported and when Maisie Symonds scored that free kick to beat Leicester in injury time our fans made the noise of 20,000! There’s a long way to go but things like the new TV deal, the growth we are seeing in attendances and engagement on things like social media are making a positive difference. Even I’ve got an Instagram account now!
And to top it all off, we’ve now got world-class training facilities.
Yes, and they make such a difference. I remember the look on the faces of the players when they saw what the club has provided for them, they were gobsmacked. They are now working on a daily basis in an environment fit for elite athletes and it has been on the pitch. The £8m investment by Tony Bloom and the board is some statement and long-term it will help us achieve our aim of being an established top-four WSL club.
Finally, it’s not just about the players is it?
No, they are so fortunate to be supported by such a hardworking and dedicated backroom staff. I’d like to thank everyone behind the scenes for their hard work in 2021 and for the backing we’ve had from Tony Bloom, Paul Barber, Dan Ashworth and the rest of the senior executive team. It’s been another difficult year for everyone because of Covid-19, especially the last few weeks with the new variant emerging when it looked as if we might have Covid under control. Let’s hope for better next year and, on behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to wish our supporters a safe and Happy Christmas and every success for 2022.