Maisie Symonds can’t wait to play her part as Albion embark on the new WSL season with a squad she thinks is full of ‘unbelievable talent.’
The midfielder was restricted to just two appearances last season. Having recovered from glandular fever she then ruptured an ankle ligament before returning to action in the final throes of the campaign.
But after a summer when she did a lot of fitness work on her own before Albion returned for pre-season training, the 20-year-old believes she’s given herself the best possible chance of making an impact for a new-look Albion.
She said, “This pre-season has been really good. Personally, it’s gone well and I’m feeling ready. I knew that I had to work hard this summer and that’s what I’ve done - given myself the best chance to hopefully have a much better season than last.”
Despite only making her debut in 2021, Symonds is now one of the longest-serving players in the squad and it will be a much-changed team that faces Everton, after 11 new faces arrived in the summer.
“We've had a lot of time to work with all the new players and we've got a squad now that's full of talent, it’s unbelievable,” she added.
“It feels like a completely new club. We’ve got a relatively new manager, brand new players and it's exciting.”
Head coach Melissa Phillips is also embarking on her first full season in charge and Symonds has been impressed with her thoroughness.
“She's great, has got everything prepared and leaves no stone unturned - you just know what she wants from you. It's exciting to play under a manager like that.”