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Arsenal defender Teyah Goldie has signed for FA Women’s Championship side Watford on a duel registration deal until the end of the season. Back Teyah Goldie joins Watford Arsenal defender Teyah Goldie has signed for FA Women’s Championship side Watford on a duel registration deal until the end of the season. via Watford Women 24 January 2022 By Josh Bunting The 17 year old defender will play at the Hornets until the end of the 2021/22 campaign, as part of a dual registration agreement between the two clubs. The new addition will bring leadership qualities to the Hornets; she is an England Under-19 international and captain of the side. Goldie made her debut at just 16, playing a part in the Gunners 10-0 win over Gillingham in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup. She would go on to make further appearances in the competition, including in the semi-final versus Brighton & Hove Albion. Goldie was also a part of the Gunners’ squad for the final defeat against Chelsea back at Wembley in December. In total, she has made six appearances for the north London side and has been a regular in match-day squads this season. The defender will wear number 23 and was eligible to make her debut against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend. Goldie has turned into Watford’s second signing of the transfer window. She joins Anna Patten, goalkeeper Natalia Negri and midfielder Halle Houssein in leaving the club on loan in January to further their development. News

Turner and Magill join the Villans Back Everton duo sign for Villa Turner and Magill join the Villans 5 August 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Longstanding former Everton captain, defender Danielle Tuner has signed a two-year deal with Aston Villa. She is joined by teammate, Northern Ireland international Simone Magill who has also confirmed her move after spending the last nine years with the Toffees. On Magill’s move, head coach Carla Ward said, “she’s a front-footed player with an eye for goal and someone I feel will fit in brilliantly to what we’re trying to do.” News

Arsenal have announced the loan move of defender Anna Patten to Aston Villa for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. Back Patten to Villa: A Wise Move Arsenal have announced the loan move of defender Anna Patten to Aston Villa for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. Lewis Storey 5 January 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Patten has a history with the Gunners having her way through the ranks after joining the club at twelve years old. She made her senior debut against Bayern Munich in 2017, aged 18, before going on to play in every match of the Women’s Super League Spring Series that year. After studying in the States for four years, in which Patten played successful stints with both the Florida State Seminoles and the South Carolina Gamecocks, she re-joined The Arsenal last January. Patten has enjoyed plenty of ‘firsts’ since returning to North London, including her first goal, and a break into Champions League football against Gillingham and HB Køge respectively. Further illustrating her ever-maturing potential, on the international stage Patten has been a regular feature of England’s youth camps representing her country at under-15, under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels. Patten has secured two bronze medals during her time with the national side; the 2016 U-17 Euros and the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2018. Patten’s move to Aston Villa can perhaps be viewed as surprising. The loaning of a lifelong Gooner, the foreknown absence of their trade left back, and the injury of their staple centre-half, indicates that the Gunners are looking to reinforce their backline from elsewhere. Nevertheless, this is not to say that in the long-term, this move will considerably benefit all parties. A talent as distinct as Patten must be cultivated, yet such progression can only be achieved through playing consistent minutes, something that, since returning to England, Patten has not received. With a title to reclaim and a reassertion into European football, between developing players, evolving on-field relationships and rotating a dependably robust starting eleven, Jonas Eidevall has a bit of a balancing act on his hands. In saying this, one would still not be indecorous to question Patten’s lack of game time. Enter Aston Villa. Although the Villans lay within the bottom half of the table, Patten could not have secured a better move. Now under the wing of renowned defence curator Carla Ward, and playing alongside the likes of Women’s Super League vets Anita Asanti and Remi Allen, she is about to have the education of her life. The likelihood is that Patten will play with far more regularity given Villa’s league position and Ward’s preference to lock in defensive stability before anything else. Yet Patten brings her own profits to her new club. She is able to adopt the profile of a centre-back, as well as a central midfielder if assigned, however when looking at her most prevalent skills, Patten is best used as a fullback. Upon viewing, one attribute that is highlighted is Patten’s inclination to push fairly high up the field. There is an obvious desire for pitch progression within her play and typically, it is well executed. Being a quality ‘ball player’ is not something that comes naturally to all, yet Patten shows a great deal of worth here in both carrying and releasing. Pairing this with bursts of pace and shrewd counter awareness, Patten’s time on the ball is altogether valuable. Utilising Patten as such will provide Villa with an added attacking outlet, as well as the perfect complement to offset left back, Maz Pacheco. In return, Villa will provide the opportunity for Patten to exercise and develop her defensive competence against regular competitive opponents. Developing further know-how on opportune periods to apply pressure, favourable positions to intercept and block passages of play, and heightened recognition of opponent’s body shape, areas in which Patten is perhaps not quite as well versed in just yet, will serve her well in fulfilling her undeniable promise. Come May, whether Patten returns to her childhood club or not will remain to be seen. But if this is the case, one would certainly bet on a more well-rounded, self-assured, defensively sound player returning to Meadow Park than the one who left in January. News

We caught up with author and analyst Abdullah Abdullah to speak about his latest book 'The Evolution of Chelsea Under Emma Hayes' and his new series of tactical interviews with players and coaches on his website Pressing Matters. Interview with analyst and author Abdullah Abdullah Saturday, 5 February 2022 By Charlotte Stacey We caught up with author and analyst Abdullah Abdullah to speak about his latest book 'The Evolution of Chelsea Under Emma Hayes' and his new series of tactical interviews with players and coaches on his website Pressing Matters. On Her Side Firstly, congratulations on your new book, Europe’s Next Power House: The Evolution of Chelsea Under Emma Hayes. Would you be able to tell us a little bit out the book and what readers can expect? First of all, thank you, and second of all, what can you expect from the book. Well, the general premise of the book essentially depicts the rise of Emma Hayes over the years, but also the evolution of Chelsea as a club from several years ago to now, their growth over time. Mostly on the pitch in terms of tactical ideas, but also off the pitch, what are the factors that contributed to them getting to where they are and what that means for the future of the club. We put that all together and you can get a decent overview of Chelsea from 5-7 years ago to now, and beyond, in terms of what they want to achieve, what they have achieved and what they’re doing on the pitch tactically and learn all about it. --- You mention the book is full of tactical insights, so for those of us who are perhaps not particularly tactically minded, is it written in a way that we can easily follow Chelsea’s journey on the pitch in this respect? Yes, I like to think, and pride myself on making sure that the way I write is both accessible to people who are tactically savvy and people who are just maybe getting into tactics or who just generally know about football. So both sets can understand without one feeling like it’s targeted too much the other way. I think it’s a good balance between being too technical and not very technical, so I’d like to think I’ve pleased both sets. It worked for the first one! Firstly, Abdullah congratulations on your new book, Europe’s Next Power House: The Evolution of Chelsea Under Emma Hayes. Would you be able to tell us a little bit out the book and what readers can expect? "First of all, thank you, and second of all, what can you expect from the book. Well, the general premise of the book essentially depicts the rise of Emma Hayes over the years, but also the evolution of Chelsea as a club from several years ago to now, their growth over time. "Mostly on the pitch in terms of tactical ideas, but also off the pitch, what are the factors that contributed to them getting to where they are and what that means for the future of the club. We put that all together and you can get a decent overview of Chelsea from 5-7 years ago to now, and beyond, in terms of what they want to achieve, what they have achieved and what they’re doing on the pitch tactically and learn all about it." You mention the book is full of tactical insights, so for those of us who are perhaps not particularly tactically minded, is it written in a way that we can easily follow Chelsea’s journey on the pitch in this respect? "Yes, I like to think, and pride myself on making sure that the way I write is both accessible to people who are tactically savvy and people who are just maybe getting into tactics or who just generally know about football. So both sets can understand without one feeling like it’s targeted too much the other way. I think it’s a good balance between being too technical and not very technical, so I’d like to think I’ve pleased both sets. It worked for the first one!" Speaking of your first book, that was written about Lyon. So, what was it that then drew you to Chelsea, why was Chelsea your second choice? "I think, plain and simple, on the men’s side Chelsea are the team I’ve been supporting since the year 2000, they’re my childhood club. Whilst the men’s side was very saturated, I focus a lot on women’s football and I thought I’ve got to do something on Chelsea. "For me, I’ve always said Lyon is the club I support on the women’s side, but I’m a very close second fan of Chelsea so it was an obvious choice. I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else, it had to be Chelsea because it’s so close to me. It was opportunistic as well, they were doing so well under Emma Hayes. Sam Kerr was just about to sign and the club was really going somewhere. I knew a lot about the club so it was a no-brainer. I thought, let’s do it." Obviously, we speak a lot about Emma Hayes and the focus of this book revolves around Chelsea’s growth under her leadership, have you managed to speak to her? "You’re not the first person to ask me and unfortunately no, I have not been able to speak to her. It was unfortunate, she was covering the Euro’s in the summer when I wanted to try to speak to her but I got the next best thing which were journalists and people around her at the club. I am told she has received a copy of the book and I’ve no clue what she’s going to think so we’re going to have to see what happens!" As well as the book you have another exciting project happening, Pressing Matters: a series of tactical insights with players and coaches. Can you tell us where the idea for this project came from? "I’m not going to lie to you, I was just sitting around thinking ‘what can I do to take Pressing Matters to the next level? I’m loving the analysis that I’m doing but I need to take it a step further.’ I will give Mia Eriksson some credit here! She’s doing a podcast called ‘ Their Pitch ’ (podcast in which Mia and co-host Amanda Zaza speak to players, coaches and other football personnel about their history and professional development, as well as their tactical take on the game). It’s a fantastic idea and people should go and listen to it (interviewer seconds this!). "So, I used that as inspiration and thought about how I could do something that’s equally as innovative and different. It was just one of those things, I was sitting around doing nothing and it just popped – tactical interviews with players! And I’ll make it a written thing rather than a podcast. I asked a couple of people what they thought and they said ‘yeah, not a bad idea’ and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. From there the journey began and I started sending out a gazillion emails. "The first entry is out, an interview with former Everton manager Willie Kirk, and from this it’s clear that this series will provide analysis from coaches and players, which, aside from Mia’s podcast, has not really been done in the women’s game." Looking at that first article, it feels as if your guests have an awful lot to say about the tactical side of the game. Have you been surprised at the level of insight and the volume of information that they have given? "Yeah, really I have. Willie was great, it was really insightful. He gave me a lot of insight into the way he was working with Everton and the decisions that he made. I guess it was a little bit easier for him to explain simply because he’s left the club so he can give me more detail than others could’ve. "But I think with the players I’ve already spoken to, some of them have really surprised me in terms of their level of insight and their knowledge. When I start some of them [interviews], it starts off with a good answer. But the minute it goes to questions 2, 3, and 4, they really start getting into it and they put time and energy into their answers. You can actually see them sitting there and actively thinking ‘oh wait, no hold on’ – they think about one thing then suddenly they’ll change it and go ‘oh you know what, actually I can add this’. "Every single player in their own way has surprised me with their level of understanding and knowledge, not just their own game and what they’re supposed to be doing, but the deeper meaning of that and they ask a lot of questions which has surprised me. So I think it’s really going to surprise people and will be quite enjoyable." Going off of that, do you think players have enjoyed speaking about tactics and the more technical aspects of their game? It’s not something they generally have the opportunity to do, so what’s the response been in that respect, would you say it’s something they have been crying out for? "Maybe not crying out for, but certainly, I’ve got about six or seven interviews recorded so far and every single one of them has said ‘really happy to do it because it’s not something we usually get to do and it’s totally different. We play football, we play the game so why can’t we talk about what we do on the pitch?’ "Some of them have a lot to say about roles, positions, how they think they should be playing and how to improve. Sometimes the feeling I get is that they get a little carried away with some of the things and I just have to sit there, listen and indulge, which is great! I really get a full insight into it. So I think so far they’ve all really liked it." That’s amazing. Could I be cheeky and ask if you could give us a couple of names we might see popping up in the future? "Alright, you know what, I’ll give you a couple of names that haven’t been posted anywhere else. I have spoken to Elin Landström of Inter Milan who is a left back, hopefully that will come out sooner rather than later. I think I’m safe to say that Rachel Daly might be another one that will be coming some point in the future. There you go, I can give you those two for now." Abdullah's books are available to buy on Amazon .

Get to know every member of the current Lionesses squad. Lionesses Squad Rachel Daly Rachel Daly is an experienced and adaptable player with a unique skillset. When playing domestically, Daly occupies the centre forward role and is currently wreaking havoc across defensive lines with Aston Villa. Her forward role is that of a deep-lying striker who excels in linking play, playing in other attacking players and creating interchangeable sequences of play. But of course, Daly does also possess that no. 9 killer strike. Internationally, however, Daly is usually situated further back, primarily featuring for England as a left-back. Here, Daly utilises her strikers’ tendencies and pairs them with the defensive qualities developed as a result of her slightly unusual placement. Daly’s ‘off the ball’ traits are under appreciated at times, but her pressing and positional awareness are key in bringing a balance to England’s backline. Photograph courtesy of the FA.

My Story by Kelly Smith My Story My Story by Kelly Smith All Kelly Smith ever wanted to be was a footballer. Blessed with brilliant talent which she honed with hours of practice, it was soon clear to all who saw her that Kelly was the best women's footballer that this country had ever produced. Yet for this shy girl from Watford, it would be a long and difficult journey to the pinnacle of the world game, and one which would involve the hardest of challenges. After starting drinking to mask her loneliness thousands of miles from home at college in the United States, a series of career-threatening injuries led to severe depression and a battle with alcoholism. But with the fighting spirit that was so essential on her path to be Britain's first women's professional player, Kelly bounced back to inspire Arsenal to countless trophies and become England's record goalscorer. Available to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Footballer-My-Story-Kelly-Smith/dp/0593069331/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1685728134&sr=1-1

Steph Houghton MBE Hat's off Skip Legendary Lionesses: Steph Houghton MBE Houghton Back 13 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey Hat's off Skip Richard Heathcote Having recently led the Lionesses to the World Cup semi-finals, and with Manchester City a top contender the WSL, defender Steph Houghton has undoubtedly proven her importance in the women's game. Captain for club and country, Houghton is fast becoming a household name, and deservedly so. Steph Houghton serves as a symbol of hope on a football pitch. Her experience, and consequent constant presence, does much to calm any tension felt by players and fans alike. It is her ability to remain collected, under a multitude of circumstances, that allows one to take comfort in knowing that when Houghton is on the field, no matter the outcome, it will be ok. A naturally defensive player, Houghton isn't afraid to get her hands, or rather her feet, dirty. Houghton's devotion to defending her line is exceptional, and her commitment to keeping threatening play out of the box, more often than not, sees her as the last woman standing. Houghton is no stranger to a crucial late challenge, nor to clearing the ball off the line in the absence of a keeper. Adeptly taking hold of a game without hesitation, Houghton's ability to orchestrate pace, flow and tactical play is an innate gift of hers. Her ever present optimism allows her to retain a composure and level headedness when things are perhaps not going her way. Even when on the losing end, or when under intense pressure, Houghton does not display any signs of discontent. In fact, the threat of a loss only seems to have a positive impact on Houghton's play. Charlotte Stacey A born leader, Houghton is the backbone of every team she plays with. Her performance in the World Cup demonstrated the true character of a world class skipper. In what can only be described as a bizarre game against Cameroon, Houghton reacted with paramount sportsmanship. Taking the reins, Houghton kept a firm hold on what could have easily escalated into a complete debacle of a match. Unafraid to turn her hand to a set piece, Houghton will always step up when the time calls. Boasting a fair scoring record for a centre-back, Houghton has a unique knack of hitting the back of the net from an almost unworkable close range. Yet even when the result of such pieces are ill-fated, Houghton does not deter from the job in hand. Houghton has an unwavering resilience in the face of hardship, and whilst there is always time for reflection, there is no room to dwell on what might have been. Chin up, move forward, is always the message received. Whilst there is no denying that Houghton is a masterful player, it is her dedication to her sport and her belief in her team that pushes her toward greatness. Houghton is certainly a player of great importance on the field, but off the pitch she truly is an inspiration. With the rise of the women's game, it is Steph Houghton that young girls and boys look to. With the Olympics and Euro's looming, there is, unquestionably, no one better to guide us forward. Lead the way Skip, we're right behind you.

Thoughts on: Jordan Nobbs Thoughts on: Jordan Nobbs Nobbs Back 12 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey Good Things Come in Small Packages via 90 Min With the highest number of right footed goals in WSL history, and a notably impressive comeback to both league and international football, England and Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs has rooted herself as an essential figure in the minds of many. Jordan Nobbs is a big presence in a petite frame. Standing at 5’3, arguably Nobbs is perhaps not the most physically intimidating player. But what she lacks in stature, she makes up for with a bold conviction in outwitting the most aggressive defenders. Her progressive approach and unwavering resolve have her pegged as one of the league’s most apt central midfielders. Possessing a winning combination of creativity and sharp foresight, Nobbs is, more often than not, one of the most innovative players on the field. Her knack of darting into threatening positions, paired with her ability to create a play from a single touch, is somewhat worrying for a defensive line. Nobbs’ first touch is first class. She is clever in her take, spraying dinks and links all over the place, and she finishes them with daring runs others perhaps do not have the nerve to make. Her game is quick, yet she is not hasty. Nobbs’ initiative both on and off the ball means she is problematic. With her capacity to both read and create scoring opportunities, it really is no wonder she boasts such a remarkable record. Her accuracy from range has seen her sink more than a few screamers. After a lengthy recovery from her ACL injury, it was more than pleasing to see Nobbs return to the national side. Clearly not one to take the easy option, Nobbs immediately threw herself back into the thick of it, and in doing so, has quickly re-established herself as one of the Lionesses key players. Reuters Casting back to the SheBelieves Cup, Nobbs certainly made an impression. Her performance against the USWNT in particular springs to mind. After being subbed on for the latter part of the match, Nobbs noticeably changed the dynamic of the Lionesses game. Promptly tightening up communication, wasting no time in making those nifty trademark runs, and assisting in the Lionesses best chance of the night, Nobbs plainly reminded us of what we had been missing. Nobbs demonstrates a true skill for leadership. Having captained the national side at youth levels, as well as regularly heading up Arsenal in the absence of their usual skipper, there is no denying that she is, effortlessly, a leader. It is there in every run she makes, in every frank call to the officials, in every fibre of her being. It is perhaps ill-fated that Nobbs has not yet had the opportunity to don the armband, serving her own captaincy, at senior level. But her distinguished form alongside her experience in the role, speculates that she is surely high up the ranks to succeed her teammates, at both international and club level, when the time comes. Off the pitch Nobbs is lovable. Her down to earth demeanour and her laid-back nature, evident in every interview, is a far cry from the Jordan Nobbs seen on the field. All business on game day, all laughs everywhere else. But it is this sense of amusement, alongside her honest character, that makes her a firm fan favourite. And her punditry is not bad either. It is perhaps a little frustrating that Nobbs’ road back to full fitness has had to stop so abruptly, but it is of course for the most paramount reason. Although the future of football is still uncertain at the moment, Lionesses fans and Gooners should not fret , one thing is for certain. Jordan Nobbs is a weapon of a player to have in our arsenal.

Thoughts on: Lucy Staniforth Thoughts on: Lucy Staniforth Staniforth Back 12 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey Go Forth and Prosper Action Images As the new season approaches it is not long until we see for ourselves how dynamics may change with new signings. Among the confirmed transfers to the two Manchester clubs, there is one that particularly stands out for the Red Devils as a rather clever move. Manchester United have made quite the savvy investment with England midfielder Lucy Staniforth. Lucy Staniforth is a player that puts in all the work, but rarely reaps the rewards. With her efforts on the pitch criminally overlooked on occasion, Staniforth has served as a bit of an unsung hero in the England camp. Of course, club football and international football are two different entities; the disparity between the two all too often leads to triumph in one and calamities in the other. But in this case, Lucy Staniforth has the chops to excel in both. An untiring work ethic and a readiness to repair the damage, Staniforth is every bit the resourceful player needed to galvanise a stale performance. She plays with a fire in her belly, a categorical vigour that should perhaps see her name appear in the Lionesses starting eleven more often. However, at club level Staniforth has well and truly earned her place to play amongst the big leagues. Beginning her senior career at Sunderland, Staniforth re-joined the Black Cats after spells with Notts County, Bristol City and a brief stint at Liverpool. Upon her return, Staniforth quickly secured herself an integral figure in Sunderland’s cohort. Ardour and drive evident, her standout displays deservingly led to her first captaincy. This distinguished form did not waver an inch when Staniforth then moved to Birmingham City, where she, arguably, became the Blues most influential player. Typically, midfielders fall into three umbrella categories: attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, and depending on tactical formations, winger. Yet it is scarce to find a player that can readily and adroitly take on all three roles. This is exactly where one notes Staniforth. A player that navigates the middle third so well, that at times it appears as if she is playing all three parts simultaneously. Her stout command at the core, the glue holding Birmingham together at times. Manchester United Women Yet, wherever she finds herself on the pitch, Staniforth almost instinctively takes on the role of playmaker. Dropping back into a more defensive position, opportunities are created with Staniforth’s sharp eye for a long ball; her ability to pick and switch the passage of play in an instant often relied upon. Towards the front, a tendency to cut in and take the ball through the centre to smartly open up attacking utilities. With this vision Staniforth gives herself options. Whether she feeds out to either side, chips a ball into the box or takes a shot herself, she is instrumental in attack. Although she may not be a goal scorer by trade, when Staniforth does hit the back of the net, it is usually nothing short of spectacular. Prolific in taking set pieces, Staniforth can belt one home like nobody’s business when the time calls. A multifaceted player indeed, Staniforth’s move to Manchester is certainly positive for both parties. For Manchester United, an added quality to close the gap; for Staniforth, the tools to cultivate her potential. An opportunity to fine tune those operational skills that, perhaps, may see her on the pitch in an England shirt more often. Undoubtably Staniforth will bring an expertise and maturity that will benefit Manchester United to no end, and although she may no longer wear the armband, her innate on-field leadership will surely be plain to see. They say a captain should go down with his ship and Staniforth will simply not go down without a fight. The very sentiment that echoes the spirit of this developing United team. Lucy Staniforth: principal of the cast; understudy to none.

Thoughts on: Gemma Bonner Thoughts on: Gemma Bonner Bonner Back 13 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey What a Gem via Express & Star Having been named in The Athletics’ Women’s Team of the Year following an impressive performance this season, Manchester City and England defender Gemma Bonner is finally receiving the recognition she deserves. When considering the attributes of a centre back, Gemma Bonner is a player that pretty much delivers the whole package. Defensively solid, spatially aware, and sharp with a tackle, she is, in essence, a dictionary definition of a defender. Yet, Bonner flies under the radar. She is perhaps not the first name that springs to mind when mulling over top defenders, but she absolutely should be. Not one to make a song and dance, Bonner’s collected approach, and her regard to simply get the job done, is desirable to say the least. She is not particularly antagonistic, nor is she rash. In fact, she rather reservedly displays her skillset, and it is only when one stops to fully observe Bonner, that it becomes abundantly clear just how important she is. With an acute awareness of all that is around her, Bonner is clever with her positioning. Having what seems to be a sixth sense when navigating the pitch, Bonner’s intuition seemingly sees her conscious of both her teammates and her opposition’s whereabouts at all times. Examples of this are scattered throughout Bonner’s game; a passing accuracy that is second to none, possession that is seldom lost; but her diligence is perhaps best highlighted through set pieces. Corners are Bonner’s forte. In both attacking and defending, Bonner positions herself with an expertise that rarely falters. At both ends of the pitch Bonner’s aerial abilities see her as a threat in the area. In front of her own goal, Bonner has used her head to clear the line more than once, and up the other end, she is no stranger to nodding one past the keeper. In the air and on the ground, she tends to find herself in the right place at the right time, and it is this that sets her apart from others. Bonner has scored the second highest number of goals by a defender, all the while boasting one of the best defensive records in the league. Charlotte Tattersall Making up one half of City’s defensive duo, Bonner has made it her business to work in tandem with her skipper. Knowing the in’s and out’s of each other’s game have seen the pair have a huge hand in City’s current pole position. Bonner’s commitment to building partnerships is perhaps her most endearing quality. Quickly learning the strengths of her teammates, and being able to utilise these, has meant she has swiftly solidified herself as one of City’s key players. Prior to joining City, Bonner enjoyed a string of successes with her former clubs, including leading Liverpool to two consecutive league titles. Whilst she may no longer wear the armband, her quiet leadership can certainly sway the head, and her winning mentality shows no sign of ebbing just yet. Bearing all of this in mind, it is somewhat interesting to note that Bonner has only a handful of senior caps for the National side. It was perhaps even more surprising, given her recent performance, not to see Bonner’s name appear on the squad list for February’s SheBelieves Cup. Of course, club football and international football are arguably two different ball games, but having a player of Bonner’s assiduousness, and the option of an already established partnership at the back, surely would not have hurt the Lionesses campaign. So, perhaps overlooked, undervalued even, for England; at City Bonner is a player of the utmost standing, and deserves to be seen as such. Do not be fooled, her controlled will and temperate nature should not be underestimated. Quite simply put, Gemma Bonner is up there with the best of them.

Ground Guide Arsenal By Paul Donegan I have been to Meadow Park 4 times so far during the 2021/22 season (Slavia Prague, Manchester City, Hoffenheim and West Ham United matches) so this ground guide is based on things from those. Of course things might be different if you decide to visit Meadow Park. Address Broughinge Rd, Borehamwood WD6 5AL Location and Ground History Borehamwood is in Hertfordshire, just north of London, close to the A1 and M25 roads. Borehamwood and close by Elstree are probably most famous for its TV and film studios. Meadow Park opened in 1963 as Boreham Wood’s new ground. Arsenal Women have been playing there permanently since about 1992 and the men’s under 23s also play some of their matches at Meadow Park. The stadium is now sponsored but due to the nature of the sponsorship, it is going to carry on being known as Meadow Park by me. Getting There The ground is about a 15 minute walk away along the main road (Shenley Road) from Elstree and Borehamwood station which is served by Thameslink trains going north to St Albans and Luton and south into London (St Pancras and Blackfriars) and then down to Kent and south London. Oyster cards etc can be used to Elstree and Borehamwood. A number of buses (TfL buses 107 and 292 plus others) pass near the ground with the closest stop being Elstree Studios. There is a car park at the ground (Brook Road car park, which is behind the south end) but this does get full really early before matches and also some spaces are taken up by TV trucks if the match is being shown live. From what I can see it is a pay and display car park Monday to Saturday, 8am-6:30pm but might be worth double checking in case this has changed. If this is full, it would have to be street parking or finding another car park. Tickets It is cheaper to buy tickets beforehand as the price does increase for adults from £8 (plus £1.65 booking fee) to £12 if you buy on the day, if available. There is a ticket kiosk open on matchdays near the turnstiles in the north east corner so if going from the car park, you need to walk around the ground or through the park. The tickets come as an attachment on the confirmation email and can be printed off or shown on a phone and are then scanned by someone at the turnstiles. When booking tickets online, you can choose if want you reserved seating in the east stand or a ticket which covers the rest the ground. Buy Tickets https://www.arsenal.com/arsenal-women-tickets The Stadium There are turnstiles at the south end of the ground, with a path leading up from the car park, and another set in the north east corner. The ground capacity is 4,500 with 1,700 seats. The main stand and dugouts are on the east side of the ground with the covered seated stand (reserved seating only + VIPs) covering about half the length of the pitch. To the north side of it is some uncovered terracing whilst to the south are the dressing rooms and this side is not open to the public. In the south east corner, there is a scoreboard showing the score and time. At the south end there is uncovered terracing which breaks in the middle for the food/drink kiosk and turnstiles. The west side has a covered seated stand running the whole length of the pitch with the press in the middle of it and the TV camera position on top. The north end has a covered terrace which runs the widith of the pitch. There are toilet blocks at either end of the west stand though I have seen lengthy queues for the women’s toilets near the north end. There haven’t been any bag searches this season even though there used to be. Food and Drink There are two food kiosks (called The Lunch Box) inside the ground, one at the south end by the turnstiles and the other in the north east corner by the turnstiles and club shop. When I have been buying food/drink, I have paid by card. Outside of the ground, there are numerous pubs, restaurants, cafes etc, along the Shenley Road and there is also a McDonalds and Tesco a couple of minutes walk away. Merchandise There is a club shop in the north east corner of the ground where you can buy various bits of Arsenal merchandise along with paper programmes. Again, I have paid by card when buying programmes. There can be a few queues in this part of the ground with the club shop and tea bar so make sure you join the right one. Gunnersaurus used to be a regular sight at the women’s matches but hasn’t been seen this season at the matches I have been to at Meadow Park.

Thoughts on: Carly Telford Thoughts on: Carly Telford Telford Back 12 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey She's a Keeper via Getty Images After a stunning performance at the SheBelieves Cup and a perfect record of clean sheets this season, England and Chelsea goalkeeper Carly Telford has finally been able to show the world what she’s made of. It is an unfortunate truth that goalkeepers can sometimes find themselves on the end of a raw deal. Not only can it be a thankless task, there are instances in which many able keepers are overlooked. The problem they face, unlike outfield players, is that there is only space for one. Of course, for most clubs there is rotation, but depending on circumstances, this can be sparse season to season, tournament to tournament. In the case of Carly Telford, the luck of the draw has not always dealt her the most favourable hand in reaching the pole position. Although there have been times during her career in which she has not quite managed to maintain a permanent start on the pitch, this has fortunately not deterred her. Luckily at both club level and internationally, Telford has always been nipping at the heels of the number one. Carly Telford is first and foremost a finely crafted shot stopper. Unafraid to come off of her line and to impose herself on a threatening play, Telford makes some big saves. Having an eye for an incoming play is all well and good, but unless keepers are able to react with the appropriate urgency, this becomes somewhat obsolete. Fortunately, Telford is more than proficient in both. With quick thinking, and equally as quick hands and feet, Telford is more often than not, quite literally, on the ball. Charlotte Stacey With a no-nonsense approach between the posts, her resolute attitude on the pitch has seen her prove time and time again, she is a player you want in your squad. Her ability to read a game in its entirety, as well as her acute attentiveness to remain switched on even when she is perhaps a little redundant, has meant she has withstood the test of time. Whether it is her wealth of experience or her infectious optimism, there is no denying that Telford has a quality that has kept her around. When it comes to distribution, Telford is skilled. She is more than capable in making the appropriate decision. Whether it is quickly initiating a counter attack, or taking her time to slow the pace in an attempt to establish possession, Telford is confident in her choice. When pushing forward, Telford is able to direct long balls with accuracy, and completes short passes with clear communication in how she wishes to orchestrate her team. Patiently having had to wait until last year’s World Cup to play her first minutes in a major tournament will have no doubt caused Telford times of disappointment and frustration. However, with her display at the recent SheBelieves Cup, it was certainly worth the wait. In moments of panic Telford did not bow down to intimidation and remained unnerved when advanced upon. In fact, Telford positively remained one of the calmest players throughout. Her experienced voice of reason serving as a comfort for teammates and supporters alike. Her performance in front of the net almost faultless, noting that without Telford, the Lionesses score line could have read very differently. Tried and tested, Telford is a player that can be relied upon to get you out of trouble. But more than that, both on and off the pitch, Telford’s drive to proceed with resilience and determination in the face of uncertainty is admirable. It is this perseverance that has seen her edge ever closer to her goal, and when the time has called, she has certainly risen to the occasion. Thankfully, Telford’s patience has finally paid off. With those safe hands and mighty saves speaking for themselves, all that’s left to say is; CT, she’s a keeper.