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Information on every team that competes in the Barclays Women's Super League, the top division of women's football in England. Barclays Women's Super League The Women's Super League (WSL) is the top flight of women's football in England. It consists of twelve professional teams with one relegation spot each season. Click on the badges below to find out more about each team.

Thoughts on: Leah Williamson Thoughts on: Leah Williamson Williamson Back 12 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey She is The Arsenal via Getty Images With a growing number of international senior caps under her belt, and a season even the most experienced player would be proud of, Arsenal and England defender Leah Williamson is knocking on the door of something special. Leah Williamson is a rare find. Always looking comfortable due to her wealth of practice in a starting eleven, Williamson plays with a poise and consistency that is seldom seen in a player of a young age. An absolute visionary, only in her early twenties, Williamson is able to read a game with a sense and maturity far beyond her years. Williamson's significance on the field is plain to see. Whether it is a quick one-two, a placed long ball or an essential block, Williamson seems to always be one step ahead. Her capacity to anticipate a play, for both her own side, and her opposition, is rather remarkable. It is this foresight that makes her so influential, and watching her play in person only heightens the observation of her cardinal importance on the pitch. Whilst on the surface she may not appear the most physically intimidating centre back, Williamson should certainly not be underestimated. Brave in her decision making, Williamson is savvy with a slide tackle; always well timed and tactful. Her ability to predict an opposing pass often results in her making interceptions at the most crucial of times, and she is more than reliable with a clearance. Williamson is a staple in the Gunners defence, and is undoubtedly well on her way to reaching the same feat with the Lionesses. Girls on the Ball and Charlotte Stacey Steadfast in her approach, from the back, Williamson comfortably instigates play with a momentum in which she sees fit. Yet, she is quick to get things moving when the opportunity arises. Using her experience as a midfielder, Williamson is able to press forward, and in doing so, dispels threats to her own half all the while causing problems to the opposition in theirs. Fiercely loyal to her club, Williamson will stand her ground in an unfair ruling. Yet she is controlled in her protest, always careful not to worsen a dispute to detriment of her teammates. For Williamson, the welfare of her team is paramount. Not one to pass the buck, Williamson notes her responsibility when things perhaps do not go as planned. Yet, ever modest when the final whistle blows she is dignified in both victory and defeat. Whatever the outcome may have been, Williamson dutifully recognises, and draws upon, both the positive and negatives to further develop her game. In times of reflection, Williamson is brutally realistic in what is achievable and what is not, yet she is always positive in moving forward. What is clear, is that Williamson encompasses the mindset, will power and sportsmanship of the finest professional, and is a true asset to both her club and country. With all the attributes and the temperament of a natural leader, whether it is for Arsenal or England, a future captaincy is surely on the cards. Williamson should have every confidence in herself to carry the honour. World, take note of Leah Williamson, for the best is yet to come.

A quick guide to Bristol City who compete in the Women's Championship. Bristol City Website https://www.bcfc.co.uk/bristol-city-women/ Manager Lauren Smith - WAL Captain Aimee Palmer Squad Bristol City Bristol City 1/1 Number Player Position Nationality 1 Fran Bentley GK ENG 2 Ella Powell DF WAL 3 Lia Cataldo DF ITA 4 Naomi Layzell DF ENG 5 Brooke Apsin DF ENG 6 Aimee Palmer MF ENG 7 Abi Harrison FW SCO 8 Elysia Boddy MF ENG 9 Shania Hayles FW ENG 10 Chloe Bull MF WAL 11 Jodie Hutton MF ENG 12 Chloe Mustaki DF IRL 13 Olivia Clark GK WAL 14 Vicky Bruce DF USA 15 Jasmine Bull MF ENG 16 Emily Syme MF ENG 20 Maddi Wilde DF ENG 22 Lily Greenslade FW ENG 24 Ffion Morgan FW WAL 25 Erin Foley GK ENG 27 Jesse Woolley FW ENG 28 Tianna Teisar FW WAL Ground Robins High Performance Centre, Clevedon Road, Failand, Bristol, BS8 3TN

The Lionesses top the table after beating Italy 2-1 in their second match of the Arnold Clark Cup A Rachel Daly double sees England thrill at CBS Arena Back The Lionesses top the table after beating Italy 2-1 in their second match of the Arnold Clark Cup via Lionesses Sunday, 19 February 2023 By Paul Donegan The Lionesses made it two wins out of two in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup as they beat Italy 2-1 at the Coventry Building Society (CBS) Arena. Rachel Daly scored both of England’s goals whilst Sofia Cantore netted a controversial equaliser for Italy. Manager Sarina Wiegman said after England’s 4-0 win over Korea Republic on Thursday that she wanted to “try different things” during the Arnold Clark Cup and subsequently made nine changes to the starting eleven for the second match. The two that remained were Alex Greenwood, who was named captain, and Jess Carter who paired alongside Greenwood in central defence. Keira Walsh came back into the fold after missing the Korea Republic match with a stomach bug. Youngsters Jess Park and Katie Robinson made their first starts for the national side. Wiegman set the Lionesses up in their normal 4-3-3 formation. Ellie Roebuck came in to replace Mary Earps in goal. Maya Le Tissier started as right-back Niamh Charles on the left. Walsh played as a defensive midfielder with Coombs in front of her and Park playing in the number 10 role. Lauren Hemp and Robinson played as attacking wide players with Daly as the furthest forward. England had a few half chances before Italy broke quickly in the 5th minute and Roebuck tipped a shot from Valentina Giacinti wide of the post. Daly was being a threat upfront for England and saw two efforts saved in quick succession. Italy looked dangerous on the break with Greenwood stopping one of them when she got to the ball first. Daly overhit a pass in the 31st minute as the game continued to lack any real chances at either end. A minute later, England took the lead when Robinson sent in a cross from the right-hand side that Daly headed into the net. The Aston Villa forward carries on her excellent scoring record this season, and an assist for Brighton’s Robinson on her first start. In first half stoppage time, Daly hit the crossbar with a header but offside flag was up anyway. Daly had the first chance of the second half but headed over two minutes into it. Robinson sent another cross into Daly in the 50th minute but this time the Villa forward put her effort over. Three minutes later, Jordan Nobbs, who had come on at half time, saw an effort deflected over. The Aston Villa midfielder had another effort shortly after but her strike was kept out by Laura Giuliani. Italy equalised in the 62nd minute when Cantore’s header was judged to have crossed the line by the assistant referee. But had the ball already gone out of play before the cross for the goal? The England players complained that the ball had crossed the byline but the goal stood. Daly was close to scoring again in the 70th minute but headed a corner narrowly wide. Daly did score her second a minute later to put England back ahead when she superbly headed in Lauren James’ cross. That was her fourth goal in the last four internationals. The Lionesses were almost causing themselves problems at the back before eventually clearing the ball. Daly got a great ovation as she was subbed off in the 81st minute and was later named Player of the Match. The attendance was announced which was 32.128, a record for any sporting event at the CBS Arena. Lotte Wubben-Moy got back to intercept as Italy looked dangerous going forward just as five minutes of additional time were announced. Annamaria Serturini sent a shot wide for Italy as they looked to equalise for a second time. Italy didn’t threaten again as England won 2-1 and continued their unbeaten run under Wiegman to 28 matches. Wiegman said after that she was “happy with the game and win, and that there were many different players on the pitch and that is what we want.” Wiegman said it was a good first half that was energetic before noting that England started the second half well before they struggled for bit. Wiegman commented she was very pleased with how the Lionesses reacted after Italy’s equaliser and it was good to learn. Regarding the Italian goal, she said we “have to keep going after the decision was made.” The England boss said there are no plans to start with two forwards at the moment and that both Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly are good strikers. Wiegman said the youngsters are doing well and impressed with how they dealt with today. She said players are “competing with each other as all want to go to the World Cup but also playing well as a team”. Wiegman noted it was nice to see the Rachel Daly/Katie Robinson connections. She also added that Emily Ramsey will miss the final Arnold Clark Cup match as has picked up an ankle injury. Wiegman praised the Lionesses ability to cope with a diverse range of threats and applauded her team and their strength in showing they can win against any opponent. The Lionesses final match in this year’s Arnold Clark Cup is on Wednesday 22nd February at 7:45pm (GMT) when they take on Belgium at a sold-out Ashton Gate in Bristol. The match will be shown live on ITV4 with coverage starting at 7pm. Line-ups England (4-3-3): Roebuck (GK), Le Tissier, Carter, Greenwood (c) (Wubben-Moy 63’), Charles, Walsh (Zelem 45’), Coombs, Park (Nobbs 45’), Hemp (Kelly 63’), Daly (Salmon 81’), Robinson (James 63’) Unused substitutes: Earps, MacIver, Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Stanway, Russo, Toone Goals: Daly 32’, 71’ Italy (4-3-3): Giuliani, Bergamaschi (Orsi 70’), Lenzini, Salvai, Boattin (Linari 45’), Giugliano, Galli (Caruso 56’), Rosucci (Greggi 79’), Giacinti, Girelli (c) (Cantore 56’), Bonansea (Serturini 79’), Unused substitutes: Schroffenegger, Baldi, Filangeri, Cafferata, Bonfantini, , Polli, Piemonte, Catena, Severini Goal: Cantore 62’ Referee – Ivana Projkovska Attendance - 32,128

A 21 player squad has been announced for the Lionesses' upcoming training camp. Lionesses Camp June 2021 Back A 21 player squad has been announced for the Lionesses' upcoming training camp. Girls on the Ball Thursday, 3 June 2021 By Charlotte Stacey Interim head coach Hege Riise has named a 21 strong squad for the six-day camp at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre commencing on Sunday 6th June. The squad consists solely of players chosen to represent Team GB in the upcoming Olympics, with the exception of Chelsea’s Carly Telford and Birmingham City’s Hannah Hampton, meaning the total number of goalkeepers onboard is five. Riise has been named as the coach that will lead Team GB through their Olympic campaign and so it stands to reason that she has taken the decision to use this time to further prepare this set of players for the conditions of the summer tournament. On her selection, Riise commented, “while this is purely an England camp, it felt sensible to really focus in now on preparations for the Olympics with the English players who have been selected for Team GB" Full Squad: GK: Karen Bardsley (Ol Reign), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Sandy MacIver (Everton), Carly Telford (Chelsea), Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City) DF: Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal) MF: Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Jill Scott (Everton), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Fran Kirby (Chelsea) FW: Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Nikita Parris (Lyon), Ellen White (Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester United)

Team Information: Chelsea Chelsea Website https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/women?pageTab=players Manager Emma Hayes MBE - ENG Captain Magdalena Eriksson Chelsea Badge Square Magda Eriksson Photographer: Mia Eriksson Chelsea Celebration Photographer: Girls on the Ball Chelsea Badge Square 1/7 Squad Player Position Number Nationality DOB Zecira Muscovic GK 1 SWE 26/03/1996 Carly Telford GK 28 ENG 07/07/1987 Ann-Katrin Berger GK 30 GER 09/10/1990 Aniek Nouwen DF 3 NED 09/03/1999 Millie Bright DF 4 ENG 21/08/1993 Jess Carter DF 7 ENG 27/10/1997 Magdalena Eriksson DF 16 SWE 08/09/1993 Maren Mjelde DF 18 NOR 06/11/1989 Niamh Charles DF 21 ENG 21/06/1999 Jonna Andersson DF 25 SWE 02/01/1993 Alsu Abdullina DF 27 RUS 11/04/2001 Sophie Ingle MF 5 WAL 02/09/1991 Melanie Leupolz MF 8 GER 14/04/1994 Ji So-Yun MF 10 KOR 21/02/1991 Guro Reiten MF 11 NOR 26/07/1994 Jessie Fleming MF 17 CAN 11/03/1998 Erin Cuthbert MF 22 SCO 19/07/1998 Pernille Harder MF 23 DEN 15/11/1992 Drew Spence MF 24 ENG 23/10/1992 Bethany England FW 9 ENG 03/06/1994 Fran Kirby FW 14 ENG 29/06/1993 Lauren James FW 19 ENG 29/09/2001 Sam Kerr FW 20 AUS 10/09/1993 Jorja Fox DF 29 ENG 28/08/2003 Aggie Beaver-Jones (on loan to Bristol City) FW 33 ENG 27/07/2003 Charlotte Wardlaw (on loan to Liverpool) DF 34 ENG 20/02/2000 Emily Orman (on loan to Crystal Palace) GK 32 ENG 05/11/2002 Ground Kingsmeadow, Kingston Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 3PB

Manchester United's Ella Toone on facing Northern Ireland, playing at Wembley and having teammate Alessia Russo back in the England Squad. Ella Toone: Making Memories at Wembley Back Manchester United's Ella Toone on facing Northern Ireland, playing at Wembley and having teammate Alessia Russo back in the England Squad. Girls on the Ball Wednesday, 20 October 2021 Charlotte Stacey The Lionesses head to Wembley Stadium on Saturday to play Northern Ireland in their first ever competitive match at England’s infamous ground. Saturday’s fixture marks Toone’s second time playing against Northern Ireland over the past year. The first was an event to remember as Toone made her senior debut and etched her name on the scoresheet with the Lionesses for the very first time. This time around, the occasion bears significantly bigger for Toone, as she sets her sights on making her mark at the home of English football in front of fans. “It’s huge. Obviously, I’ve never played at Wembley before, this is my first time, so it’s going to be even more special. The girls have spoken a lot about Wembley and how amazing it is and I just can’t wait to step out on to the pitch in front of all the fans as well.” “That’s what you dream of when you’re younger. Going out to those big stadiums and playing in front of big crowds, so I’m really excited for Saturday. I don’t think I’ll be too nervous because we’re just there to play football at the end of the day, that’s what we do and that’s what we love. So, I’m going to embrace every little moment that I can and enjoy the moment.” Toone is joined by four Manchester United teammates, the largest number of United compatriots to be selected for an England camp. Marc Skinner’s Red Devils have enjoyed a decent start to their season with certain individuals clearly impressing the Lionesses new boss, Sarina Wiegman. Goalkeeper Mary Earps and fellow midfielders, Lucy Staniforth and Katie Zelem are amongst the cut, but Toone shared that she was particularly pleased to have forward Alessia Russo back on board. “She’s my best friend so to have her on camp’s been really nice. She deserves it, she’s had a bit of a tough time over the last year with injuries. But she’s been great, worked really hard and bounced back from it.” Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Toone expressed her eagerness to remain within the senior squad leading up to next year’s Euro’s yet was wise to the importance of consistency at a domestic level. “I know that I just need to keep performing for Manchester United,” noted the 22-year-old, “then hopefully I’ll keep on getting picked for camps and getting more minutes.” However, regarding the immediate future, Toone is looking forward to getting stuck in and soaking up all that Wiegman imparts. “It’s really exciting for the team, and for me as well, that we’ve got Sarina now. We know she’s a great manager and she’s achieved a lot. We just can’t wait to keep playing under her and learning from her. These two games will be massive again and we can’t wait to put on big performances.”

SheBelieves Cup 2020: England v Japan 8th March 2020 By Charlotte Stacey After a disappointing start to the tournament, losing 2-0 to the USA, the Lionesses would be looking to put a few things right in their match against Japan. Having to take stock and go back to the drawing board, Phil Neville was under pressure to select a side that would make an impact early. After choosing a starting line-up that was perhaps not the best suited to the high press of the USA, Neville made six changes for the Lionesses second fixture. A youthful forward three consisting of Lauren Hemp, Beth England and Chloe Kelly would hopefully see a pick-up in pace up front. Although an inexperienced top line, having three standout WSL players lining up together was surely not going to hurt England’s chances. A midfield made up with the spirit Georgia Stanway, the vision of Keira Walsh and the creativity of Jordan Nobbs, looking likely to support the forward three well. Getty Images At the back, perhaps a more robust defensive line. Starts for Rachel Daly and Demi Stokes, alongside the more consistent pairing of Steph Houghton and Millie Bright. A start for pegged number one Ellie Roebuck in goal; real opportunity for Roebuck to show what she can do after Carly Telford’s outstanding performance on Friday. Looking at the line-up, it was perhaps a much more comfortable selection for supporters to get behind. Yet, even with this, the Lionesses would need to graft to take a win against this competent Japanese side. Donning their berry blush kit, the Lionesses lined up in New Jersey to try their hand once again. A quick start for Japan saw them test their luck with a shot just fifteen seconds after kick off. But fast to react, Hemp gave England their first chance of the match the other end three minutes in. A slightly sloppy start for both sides. Japan taking the upper hand quickly again, the Lionesses left too much space with a moment of untidy defending, meaning Roebuck had to get a strong hand on the shot to send it wide. The first half on the whole was pretty evenly sided, with nothing much to separate the two sides in terms of possession and chances. Both sides making promising attacks but neither one taking advantage of their position. The Lionesses finishing ball not managing to hit the target, and Japan’s long shots not quite hitting the mark. England perhaps looking the more likely to score towards the end of the half, patiently building up for that opening. Yet it remained all square at half time. Getty Images A change in tempo was needed from either side to get things moving to start the second half. A mistake at the back by Sugita saw Walsh manage to send a ball England’s way, yet with a tight angle to work with England could not finish it. At the other end, a well timed reverse ball saw Japan with possibly their best chance of the match; Houghton dealt with the threat well and sent it packing. A triple change at the hour mark saw the Lionesses take on a more experienced formation. Toni Duggan, Leah Williamson and Nikita Parris coming into the fold and making an immediate impact. Parris drawing a foul in a dangerous area; the set piece delivered well by Duggan, yet once again the Lionesses not able to make anything from it. Japan were certainly not willing to go down without a fight, and a looming danger presented by Tanaka saw Bright and Houghton have to make a number of blocks in succession. England and Stanway off, Ellen White and Lucy Staniforth on, the Lionesses were now hungry to break the deadlock. Another mistake at the back by Japan handed the ball to Duggan, who swiftly slid the ball into the box to White. White’s clinical finish prevailed once again, absolutely proving why she is so dangerous in an England shirt. The Lionesses took the lead at 83 minutes. Their opening goal looking to open the floodgates, the Lionesses did threaten more heavily in the final few minutes, yet they could not convert any more chances. Full time whistle blown, Japan – 0, England - 1. A much calmer performance from the Lionesses today, yet perhaps still not quite as organised as one would have hoped. The starting front three saw plenty of the ball which is hopeful, their team mates managing to provide them with the service to attack. Unfortunately, both England and Hemp missed chances that domestically perhaps they would have scored, however the gravitas of the occasion should be considered in this instance. International football is a step up from club level, even for players with such form. Defensively a much more settled display, Bright and Houghton not leaving an awful lot for Roebuck to do, especially during the second half. Yet Roebuck stepped up valiantly when needed. Duggan and Nobbs proving to be the Lionesses standout players today, excellent movement and accurate passing consistently seen from both. Duggan in particular lending herself to a number of the Lionesses attacks. Overall, a more settled game for England, who were possibly unlucky in being caught out a number of times with Japan playing them offside. A much better keep of possession and an entirely improved cohesive unit compared with their last game. But more work needed to be done in finishing in the final third. Perhaps not the most convincing win, but an important one nonetheless. Now calls the time for the Lionesses to amp it up in preparation for their next game, against a rather devilish looking Spain.

Carly Telford replaces Karen Bardsley as the second goalkeeper on the Team GB roster. Team GB News Telford Gets the Call Carly Telford replaces Karen Bardsley as the second goalkeeper on the Team GB roster. via Getty Images By Charlotte Stacey Cheslea goalkeeper Carly Telford has been called up to replace OL Reign's Karen Bardsley. Bardsley suffered an ankle injury earlier this month after being named in the eighteen player Olympic squad. Bardsley had already been out of the game for nearly two years after becoming injured in the 2019 World Cup and had only recently returned to the field. Team GB head coach Hege Riise announced that Telford woul take Bardsley's place skipping over reserve goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. Everton's number one MacIver remains on the reserve list and will still travel to Tokyo with the squad. The decision to name a goalkeeper player that is not on the reserve list has divided opinion. It is clear that Riise is prioritising experience to build her squad, however this move does allow one to question the thought process Riise took in naming her reserves. The point of a reserve list is to use it as an actor would use an understudy and so Telford's selection paints it somewhat redundant. Telford has a proven herself time and again both domestically and internationally having made 27 appearances for England. Telford took the number one spot in the World Cup after Bardsley's injury and played two out three games during the 2020 SheBelieves campaign., asserting herself of one of the Lionesses standout players. Team GB will play their first match of the Olympics against Chile on Wednesday 21st July at 8:30am (BST).

Thoughts on: Fran Kirby Thoughts on: Fran Kirby Kirby Back 8 October 2020 By Charlotte Stacey SuperFran. Mia Eriksson With unexpected circumstances keeping her from playing the majority of the 2019/20 season, it has been nothing but joyous to see Chelsea and England forward Fran Kirby back on the pitch. In late 2019, Kirby was diagnosed with pericarditis, an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart. After suffering from a debilitating illness, some may have understandably taken the option to ease themselves back into the swing of things. Yet in true champion fashion, this has not been the case for Fran Kirby. With an ostensible hunger, Kirby has returned this season looking, arguably, fitter and stronger than ever, conveying one very clear message; this is where I want to be. Fran Kirby possesses a raw footballing talent; a gift that no amount of injuries or illnesses can deny. Yet, wise to the fact that talent can only take you so far, Kirby is not one to rest on her laurels. She puts in the work tenfold to ensure that her spot in a starting eleven is earned and not simply given. Kirby’s fine dribbling agility and intelligent combination play quite aptly earned her the nickname “Mini Messi” back in 2015. Kirby, then playing for Reading, became the first second-division player to receive a senior international call-up to represent Mark Sampson’s Lionesses in the 2015 World Cup. When accounting Kirby’s game, it is easy to understand how she came to acquire such a commendation. Perhaps most effective in the number ten role, with the freedom to roam, Kirby expertly bridges the midfield with the forward line. Kirby’s vision paired with her stellar passing ability, notably with through balls, often shifts things into gear. Her complete skill on the ball lurches her teammates onward, with those around her well in the know that when the ball is at Kirby’s feet, you best get moving. Sitting behind out-and-out forwards, she teases defenders into compact positions, allowing her teammates to find space beyond a now staggered defensive line. Drawing the opposition in tight is a game Kirby likes to play. A close marker, or two, is not a problem. Here, where others may, quite literally, run into trouble, is where Kirby finds her stride. In one foul swoop she is able to decoy even the most proficient of defenders whilst simultaneously springing an attack. Back to the goal, collect the pass, take a touch on the half turn, send the ball forward; a staple Kirby move. Dave Winter However, this is not to say she cannot operate quite comfortably in other areas. Kirby is flexible with her positioning and does not lose any of that darting creative flair or dictation of play when frequenting other parts of the pitch. Playing on the wing she fires in crosses with a venom; as a centre forward, she can pot goals just as easily as she assists with them. Yet, whichever job she is ultimately tasked with, there is no doubt that it will be undertaken with perfection firmly in her sights. With an apparent desire to better herself in every game, Kirby certainly does not give herself an easy ride. But it is this exuding passion for improvement that has led her to the very top. A road that has not been the plainest of sailing by any means. Throughout her career Kirby has had to overcome her fair share of obstacles. As well as professional injuries, personal anguishes have taken their toll. At a young age Kirby sadly suffered a bereavement that almost stopped her footballing career before it had even begun. Then after her diagnosis of pericarditis last year, Kirby admitted, that once again, she was close to hanging up her boots for good. Quite honestly, on both occasions, it would have been difficult to find a single person who would have blamed her. Of her own volition, Kirby has always been honest about the hand she has been dealt, openly discussing the effect these events have had on both her physical and mental health. Frank with her approach, Kirby takes the rough with the smooth, never sugar coating her recoveries or her hardships. Her candidness in tackling stigmas and breaking silences, without her possibly even realising, continues to make a true impact further afield. Many express a profound gratitude for Kirby’s sincerity; a gentle arm around the shoulder when facing difficulties of your own. With all this in mind, it is clear that Kirby has an awful lot to give, on both sides of the touchlines. And so, it stands to reason that “Super Fran” may not quite do her justice. Fran Kirby: the epitome of exceptional.

Thoughts on: Alex Greenwood Thoughts on: Alex Greenwood Greenwood Back 9 June 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Alex Greenwood: The Saving Grace Girls on the Ball Despite placing third in the league and winning a Champions League spot, Manchester City had a turbulent 2021-22 season. The Manchester giants were plagued with injury early in the campaign and subsequently, albeit harbouring a number of internationals within the squad, played a number of subpar matches. Nevertheless, there were standout performers for City across the term. These include Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway, but perhaps most of all, Alex Greenwood. Greenwood joined City in 2020 after a yearlong stint with French champions Lyon. During her time overseas, Greenwood won the quadruple of trophies, including the French League and the prestigious Champions League. Prior to this, Greenwood circulated between a number of clubs, including playing for Everton and Liverpool, as well as captaining Manchester United and now Manchester City. Greenwood’s moves have proved controversial for some and have seen her become something of a pantomime villain during certain derby matches. However, if players wish to be at the very top of their game, to win trophies and experience the highest level of women’s football, unfortunately loyalties must occasionally be broken. As they say, for some, variety is the spice of life. Greenwood’s experience playing at different levels and in different leagues has abetted in becoming a well-rounded yet refined defender. One that simply should not be omitted from any starting eleven, so much so that in the frankest of terms, Manchester City would not have achieved the bronze bill without Alex Greenwood. In particular, this season, Greenwood has been the underpinning prop that has grounded, not only the backline, but the entire City line-up in every single league match. It has been Greenwood that has anchored a floundering City ship in choppy and uncharted waters. Leadership is not an attribute that comes naturally to all, but Greenwood has stepped into these shoes with professionalism and poise in the absence of other senior players. Whilst she may not be overtly vocal, Greenwood has the communication skills to organise and convey her expectations. Further to this, Greenwood leads by example and generally keeps a level head under frustrating circumstances, she has a composure that encourages those around her to adopt the same approach. Getty By trade, Greenwood has typically operated as a left back owing to her desire to tank forward and her weapon of a left foot. However, over the past two seasons we have seen Greenwood convert into a left sided centre back, a position that she has taken to remarkably well. Moving across to central defence comes with its challenges. The role requires a disciplined defensive acumen and a consciousness of the movements of fellow centre halves. In comparison, as a fullback, Greenwood assumed a more pressing and offensive duty. But Greenwood has managed to pull of a seamless merging of the two and develop into a rather layered defender. Defensively, Greenwood continues to iron out the kinks and has shown great growth in positional aptitude. Her starting position is, more often than not, optimal in allowing her enough time to break up play and block off channels. The quality of Greenwood’s pressures on opponents who are in possession also shows improvement, demonstrating a use of physicality to a greater strength than previous years. Nevertheless, what sets Greenwood apart is her quality on the ball. Being gifted with exceptional technical abilities, however, is not the be all and end all, and players need to utilise this with good decision making. Fortunately, she pairs this raw skill with an equally profound vision and anticipation. Greenwood is, without doubt, an exquisite reader of the game. It is this combination that makes Greenwood so integral to Manchester City, whose style of play is focussed more on the application of accurate passing and build-up as opposed to being over-reliant on quick-fire transitions. Greenwood is able to distribute the ball any which way over the pitch with incredible precision, often finding City’s primary attackers in the first instance. She has ended this campaign as the player who has made the most passes into the final third, the most progressive passes, as well as achieving the highest progressive passing distance in the league. Her days of playing as a fullback have not been quashed and Greenwood uses these now ingrained traits to elevate her game further. She remains a player who likes to take control, step out and drive the ball herself. Placing first in the league for the number touches of the ball with 2213 this term, it is interesting to note that over half of these have taken place within the middle third. Using this evidence, it becomes apparent that Greenwood is not only tasked with serving as City’s lead centre back, but also their principal playmaker. Greenwood was the target of 1664 passes and successfully received a whopping 98.3% of these, furthering the notion of her significance. One final attribute that cannot be overlooked is Greenwood’s deliveries from dead balls. Greenwood has long been viewed as a set-piece specialist and for good reason, her ability to direct a corner or free-kick is quite extraordinary and will continue to be a huge asset to City as other ball technicians Caroline Weir and Georgia Stanway depart. Internationally, Greenwood has come up through the ranks having played in U-17, U-19 and U-23 squads before making her senior debut in 2014. Most recently, Greenwood has secured herself as a permanent figure in Sarina Wiegman’s favoured line-up and this looks set to continue as England host the Euro’s this summer. Greenwood offers a preferable technical balance to compliment partner Millie Bright’s no-nonsense defending. Having Greenwood play primarily as a centre back with England also allows Wiegman to use Greenwood, Bright and Leah Williamson simultaneously, along with defensive midfielder Keira Walsh. This central square affords the Lionesses a solid core equipped with security, accuracy and creativity. Greenwood should indeed be commended for the domestic season she has had with Manchester City. In what has been an uncertain period, she has remained the reliable constant for both teammates and supporters alike. Looking forward one only hopes she is able to showcase the very best of her game on the international stage and beyond; a talent such as Greenwood deserves celebration from the masses.

Sarina Wiegman’s second camp in charge of the Lionesses has drawn to a close, but what have we learned so far? Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses: What Have we Learned? Back Sarina Wiegman’s second camp in charge of the Lionesses has drawn to a close, but what have we learned so far? Girls on the Ball Friday, 29 October 2021 By Charlotte Stacey England have now played four of their World Cup qualifying games for the 2023 tournament and find themselves top of the group with four clean sheets and a mammoth 32 goal difference. In September, Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses took on North Macedonia at St. Mary’s Stadium in which they enjoyed the first of their large scorelines with an eight-nil victory. They then travelled to Luxembourg and earned a similar success with a thumping ten-nil win, which included two goals apiece from centre backs Alex Greenwood and Millie Bright. October’s international break arrived and the Lionesses went on to host Northern Ireland in a historic night at Wembley Stadium. Beth Mead became the first women to score a hat-trick at the infamous ground, which was made even more impressive as she achieved this feat within a fourteen-minute period. Bethany England took the total to four and the Lionesses first competitive fixture at Wembley wrapped up favourably. In their most recent game against Latvia, England once again reigned supreme, concluding their international break with another ten-nil triumph with goals from Ellen White, Rachel Daly, Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Georgia Stanway. Ella Toone also secured her first international hat-trick, taking her tally to five goals in six appearances for her country. On the surface, it appears as though England could not have asked for a better start to this new chapter. However, those of us who follow the Lionesses a little more closely will incur that this ‘early dominance’ is not quite the best-case scenario it may be perceived to be. Firstly, this is not to deny the Lionesses of their recent endeavours, outcomes have indeed been positive and there is plenty to suggest this can continue. Further to this, there is a definite sense of anticipation shared from the players on the field to the supporters in their seats that Wiegman’s tenure will bring something more liberal than her predecessors dared to try. Already we have seen selections and starting elevens based on form, as opposed to previous international experience. Examples of this include Bethany England’s and Beth Mead’s starts against Latvia after both made remarkable impact from the bench at Wembley, and the naming of five Manchester United players in October’s camp following the Red Devil’s respectable start to the season. Wiegman has also switched things up on the pitch which has served as a refreshing change compared with the static approach of the management of years prior. After Northern Ireland’s compact defending proved difficult for England to break down, Wiegman opted for a tactical change by replacing left back Demi Stokes with midfielder Keira Walsh at half time. This converted the formation from a 4-3-3 to more of a 3-2-2-3, which at times appeared almost as a 2-1-7 as Rachel Daly played high as the right sided defender, and Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson interchangeably pushed forward to flood areas in and around the box whilst the other covered the two remaining centre backs. A similar tactic was adopted for Latvia’s match. Much more so than with Northern Ireland, Wiegman expected to face a deep-set defensive side and formed her team accordingly, this time choosing a 3-5-2. This fluidity in formation is encouraging and is the mark of a manager unafraid to work to turns of the game in hand. Yet, it is when we delve further into these fixtures that we find areas in which Wiegman’s side will need to tighten up. The first thing to be considered is the gulf that separates the Lionesses and their opponents thus far. England are currently ranked 8th in FIFA’s World Rankings. This is compared to North Macedonia ranked at 131st, Luxembourg at 122nd, Latvia at 102nd and Northern Ireland at 48th. The Lionesses were expected to win by a large margin, and they achieved that, so what is the problem? Well, there isn’t one, there are many. The largest issue is the difficulty gauging a true impression of how well a team performs or how cohesively they are working when the opposition does not pose an adequate test. Playing lower ranked sides also runs the risk of complacency, lapse positioning and unconventional pot shots, the latter of which was seen prominently against Latvia. When studying the numbers, it can be assumed that the reason for these shots was down to the amount of time England had on the ball. With 78% of possession against both sides, England were allowed to press the final third without much resistance. This sounds gift-like in theory, but the reality is that the game becomes overthought, attacking phases are overplayed and the dominant side runs themselves into trouble. Against Northern Ireland the Lionesses registered 34 shots, 11 shots on target and scored four goals. With Latvia, they produced 58 shots, 21 shots on target and ten goals. A conversion rate that, by and large, needs some work. However, these numbers must be interpreted relatively. Typically, one would expect far fewer shots, yet a much finer margin between this and the number of shots on target and goals scored. This is where time on the ball, plus, the allowance of space on the peripheral of the final third comes into play. Particularly in the game against Latvia, several times England were allowed to advance upon the box in large numbers at their leisure. Yet due to almost every player from the opposition also situated within this area and holding firm, the play was either overrun, blocked, intercepted and cleared. When the cleared ball was ultimately claimed by another England player outside of the area, rather than quickly switching the direction of play or passing out to the wing to force their opponents to reposition, the receiving player, with ample time, took a shot. The opportunity to score wasted on both occasions. The final issue with the fixtures played so far is the lack of defensive work and goalkeeping. This, of course, is no fault of the Lionesses, yet it is unhelpful that defensive structure has not been competitively trialled, nor has a phase of transition, something that, in recent times, has been England’s niggling shortcoming. The Lionesses have progressed positively and Wiegman’s management already feels as if it is taking England in the right direction, yet there are still these familiar lurking deficiencies to be addressed. These recent games have required patience and England have had to persevere when the door did not open as expected which will serve them well in their upcoming games. Confidence should be high, yet personnel should be mindful that far tougher challenges will soon be on their way.