Thoughts on: Millie Bright Thoughts on: Millie Bright Bright Back 13 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey All Things Bright 90 Min Reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup with the Lionesses, and with the London Blues now having won the season, it has been a year to remember for Chelsea and England centre back Millie Bright. With a steadfast resolve and an unwavering solidarity, it is easy to see how for club and country, Millie Bright has established herself as a somewhat prominent figure at the back. She is a powerhouse of a defender. Assertive with a tackle, fearless with a block, and harbouring a physicality that imposes; Bright makes life difficult for any centre forward. Bright plays the physical game and takes no prisoners in doing so. Never one to shy away from a challenge, she is firm in defence. The preservation of her goal is of the utmost importance, and she will go hammer and tongs to defend it if need be. Yet, she is accountable if ever these encounters are perhaps ill-timed or ill-judged. With a loyalty that always places the team ahead of herself, Bright will hold her hands up when a mistake is made. Well in the know that reflection is an essential part of individual and collective growth. Vigilance is key and Bright’s awareness is notable. Although she is possibly not the fastest player on the pitch, her reaction times are sharp, and it is here where Bright is, well, bright. She is quick to react in front of her own goal, clearing the line with a stamp of authority when things are looking a little touch and go. Bright seemingly becomes a keeper without gloves. A testament, not only to her winning mentality, but also her personal devotion to play her part in keeping a clean sheet. via Getty Images But Bright does not just draw command on the ground. Her pairing of stature and strength means that she is also rather problematic in the air. At both ends of the pitch, she is a player to keep your eye on. When it comes to offensive corners, Bright is more than capable of nodding the ball on target, habitually testing her markers. In the defensive third, Bright will answer a set piece with a force of a header. A warning to her opposition - not today. Yet, where her host of defensive abilities now see her tenaciously holding the back line, this has not always been the case. Bright’s experience in midfield and fullback roles are still recognisable in her instinct to get moving. Be assured that she will make the most of a playmaking opportunity when one presents itself. Every so often Bright treats us to a thunderous run, charging the length of the field in a bid to rouse a lulling momentum. These surges of energy often have the desired effect and a shift can be sensed. In a similar fashion, Bright’s keen eye for a long ball is dangerous. With a little look up and a simple switch of play, she is able to open doors and kick-start pockets of creativity, typically utilised by her teammates. At her very core, Bright is a player’s player and it is clear she looks after her own. She whole-heartedly throws herself into anything that comes her way; an example to those around her. With the boldness to go for it, but the receptivity to learn from it, Bright champions the characteristics of a maturing leader. Her fierce allegiance to her team, and to her cause, means that supporters of Chelsea and England certainly have plenty to invest in. As long as Millie is around, you can always look on the bright side.

Team Information: Manchester United Manchester United Website https://www.manutd.com/en/news/women Manager Marc Skinner - ENG Captain Katie Zelem Squad Manchester United Ona Batlle Photographer: Girls on the Ball Manchester United Celebrate Photographer: Girls on the Ball Manchester United 1/8 Player Position Number Nationality DOB Emily Ramsey (on loan to Birmingham City) GK 1 ENG 16/11/2000 Fran Bentley (on loan to Bristol City) GK 22 ENG 26/06/2001 Mary Earps GK 27 ENG 07/03/1993 Sophie Baggaley GK 32 ENG 29/11/1996 Martha Harris DF 2 ENG 19/08/1994 Maria Thorisdottir DF 3 NOR 05/06/1993 Aoife Mannion DF 5 ENG 24/09/1995 Hannah Blundell DF 6 ENG 25/05/1994 Ona Batlle DF 17 ESP 10/06/1999 Kirsty Smith DF 20 SCO 06/01/1994 Millie Turner DF 21 ENG 07/07/1996 Ella Toone MF 7 ENG 02/09/1999 Vilda Boe Rise MF 8 NOR 13/07/1995 Katie Zelem MF 10 ENG 20/01/1996 Hayley Ladd MF 12 WAL 06/10/1993 Jackie Groenen MF 14 NED 17/12/1994 Lucy Staniforth MF 37 ENG 02/10/1992 Martha Thomas FW 9 SCO 31/05/1996 Leah Galton FW 11 ENG 24/05/1994 Ivana Fuso FW 13 BRA 12/03/2001 Kirsty Hanson FW 18 SCO 17/04/1998 Alessia Russo FW 23 ENG 08/02/1999 Carrie Jones FW 24 WAL 04/09/2003 Tara Bourne (on loan to Sheffield United) DF - ENG Ground Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, Greater Manchester, WN7 4GX

Chelsea supporters give their thoughts on Niamh's Charles' England call-up for the Arnold Clark Cup In focus: Niamh Charles Back Chelsea supporters give their thoughts on Niamh's Charles' England call-up for the Arnold Clark Cup Girls on the Ball Monday, 13 February 2023 By Finley Chung On Tuesday 8th February, Sarina Weigman named her Arnold Clark Cup Squad for the upcoming tournament in which the Lionneses will take on South Korea, Italy and Belgium, looking to retain the tournament trophy which they won last year. Amid the certainties of the Williamson’s, Toone’s and Lucy Bronze’s of the England squad, Chelsea’s 23 year old full back, Niamh Charles was named in the squad which marks a huge turnaround for her. Charles guttingly missed out on the Euro 2022 squad, but returns to the Lionesses squad amid a stellar season for Chelsea so far. Chelsea fan, Meg Aherne and a contributor to CFCW Social said, “I think when Niamh has been given the chance to play this season, she has definitely shined. Missing out on the Euro squad last summer, allowed her to prove to Sarina that she deserves to be playing in this England side and she has done just that. "I believe she’s earned her place in the recent call up because she’s a versatile player who definitely gives her all on the pitch!” Meg isn’t wrong. Charles has played a total of 581 minutes in 12 games so far this season, with over half of those (8) being starts. She offers a very disciplined outlook in the right back berth, having not been shown a card at all this season and has drawn more fouls (6) than she has fouled herself (5) so far this season. Photo: Girls on the Ball Fellow Chelsea fan, Hayley added, “She definitely deserves the England call up, especially after being out of the squad for the Euro’s win and since she’s joined, she’s been a vital part of Chelsea’s team, in both attack and defence. She can be an amazing player for the team and has the chance to show Sarina what she can do!” Attacking wise, you can tell Charles still has her wide midfield roots embedded in her playing style. She’s scored two goals this season for The Blues, in the 3-1 away win at Everton in October and in the 8-0 thrashing of Leicester in December. Alongside her goals, she is always looking for the forward pass which is especially important for a right back in today's game and in the England system. 118 of her 337 passes this season have been forward. Overall, Niamh adds youth and excitement to the England squad for the tournament, all the whole getting to learn off one of the greats in Lucy Bronze. The guys from the Chelsea group of Her Game Too are buzzing with her inclusion to say the least. “It is a pleasure to watch Niamh play for Chelsea. She is always smiling and laughing every time you see her and she has so much time for fans . "She is arguably Chelsea’s most improved player and our most versatile player, with the ability to play on both sides. It was gutting to see her miss out at the Euros because she is always a threat to the opposition and we love seeing her bulldozing everyone as she runs down the wing. "We’ve got our tickets to the ‘Niamh Charles revenge tour’ and it’s heading to the Women’s World Cup 2023! We’re all very much looking forward to seeing Niamh, and the Lionesses thrive in the Arnold Clark Cup, before a rather big summer down under!"

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.

New boss Sarina Wiegman has announced her squad for the Lionesses upcoming September fixtures. A New Era: Lionesses September Squad List Back New boss Sarina Wiegman has announced her squad for the Lionesses upcoming September fixtures. Girls on the Ball Tuesday, 7 September 2021 By Charlotte Stacey Sarina Wiegman, who has just taken over the role of England’s head coach after conclusion of her tenure with the Dutch national side, has named a 25-player squad to take on North Macedonia and Luxemburg in the coming weeks. A mix of fresh faces, returning names and regular starters have offered supporters a breath means that Wiegman’s first selection has given plenty of food for thought. Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps re-joins after a lengthy sabbatical from the international squad, despite keeping ten clean sheets in the Women’s Super League last season. Similarly to her predecessors, Wiegman has opted for an experienced goalkeeper to oversee her younger cohort and Chelsea’s Carly Telford joins the ranks. Alex Greenwood has been named after consistently impressing with Manchester City, her selection no doubt a relief to supporters after she surprisingly did not make the cut for Team GB at the summer Olympics. Jess Carter makes her return to the national side, almost four years since making her singular appearance, after putting in a shift in Chelsea’s back four over recent months. Arsenal centre-half Leah Williamson has been named as a midfielder on Wiegman’s initial list. This could be due to the number of injuries sustained to England’s regular midfield contingency; however, many have long desired Williamson’s skillset in a higher position and this may well be the right time to experiment. Manchester United’s Lucy Staniforth and Katie Zelem have both been recalled and join Williamson in midfield. Forward Ebony Salmon is possibly one of the most exciting names to feature in Wiegman’s squad. The youngster has made quite the impression in the National Women’s Soccer League and has registered five goals since joining Racing Louisville in June. After reproving her attacking prowess in pre-season and setting the pitch alight in their league opener, Arsenal’s Beth Mead is also back in the fold. Established internationals Nikita Parris, Fran Kirby and Ellen White join Mead upfront. Regulars Ellie Roebuck, Lucy Bronze, Jordan Nobbs, Keira Walsh and Chloe Kelly all miss out on the squad through injury The Lionesses will kick off their first game under new management against North Macedonia at 7pm on Friday 17th September at St. Mary’s Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on ITV (channel to be confirmed). Full squad - GK: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver (Everton), Carly Telford (Chelsea) DF: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal) Midfielders: Jill Scott (Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Manchester United), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Katie Zelem (Manchester United) Forwards: Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Ebony Salmon (Racing Louisville), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Ellen White (Manchester City)

England boss Sarina Wigeman announced that defender Millie Bright is second in line for the captaincy, ready for the upcoming European Championships this summer. "There's no higher honour" says new vice-captain Millie Bright Back England boss Sarina Wigeman announced that defender Millie Bright is second in line for the captaincy, ready for the upcoming European Championships this summer. Girls on the Ball Thursday, 7 April 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Speaking to the press ahead of England’s World Cup qualifying match against North Macedonia, Chelsea centre back Bright briefly reflected on the exciting news. “As a player there’s no higher honour really, to, when needed, lead your country out,” Bright started, “it’s still a little bit of sinking in if I’m honest, but yes, really really happy.” The 28-year-old went on to applaud the appointment of Arsenal’s Leah Williamson as the nation’s skipper. “I’m extremely proud of Leah. She’s amazing and it’s fully deserved.” Exuding positivity about the duo’s leadership, Bright said, “it’s just natural, we don’t have to work too hard in being on the same page and I think we have the same mindset on the pitch - front footed.” “I might be a little bit louder than Leah,” she joked, “so we work off each other really well and I’m looking forward to building that relationship on and off the pitch and hopefully bringing success.” Speaking about Wiegman’s tenure, Bright noted a collective shift in mindset on gamedays and how this has transpired on the pitch. “There’s been a massive improvement. I think we’re harder to beat, certainly more ruthless down the other end and prioritising clean sheets.” On her individual game, Bright went on to speak about her goal-laden spell under Wiegman so far. “It’s something I’ve wanted to add to my game. I feel like I do have presence and it’s something I’ve been lacking, providing goals for the team. In any way, shape or form I’ll help the team be successful but I’m still going to strive to get on the scoresheet and to put other people in positions to score as well.” Tonight’s match will mark the Lionesses’ first since winning the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup in February, in which Bright was joint top goal scorer alongside Spain's Alexia Putellas. After revealing that Putellas kindly allowed her to keep the trophy, Bright insisted it is business as usual for the national side going forward. “For us, the mindset remains the same. We want to go out there and have high standards, to win the game, but first and foremost we want a good performance and to show our qualities.” “When you come off a high, we have to be prepared to go out and play again. We can’t just stay in that high moment. We have to come back down and get back to the hard work. So, for us, it’s about going out there and doing the right things and getting the job done.” England will take on North Macedonia this evening at 7pm (BST) at Toše Proeski Arena in Skopje. Coverage will begin at 6:30pm (BST) on ITV4.

Thoughts on: Ellie Roebuck Thoughts on: Ellie Roebuck Roebuck Back 12 September 2020 By Charlotte Stacey The Buck Stops Here via Getty Images Blossoming throughout the season with a record that has put her at the top of the table, plus an international call up for the SheBelieves cup, Manchester City and England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck is lining herself up for big things. Being arguably the most important player on the pitch, goalkeepers can endure a cruel business. With nowhere to hide, keepers must clean up messes left by sloppy play, but are very often overlooked for their efforts. Yet, when a mistake is made, keepers tend find themselves firmly under the magnifying glass. And so, filling in for a number one is an onerous task. There are limited alternatives if things do not work out as expected. Yet, it is a prime opportunity to showcase, not only one's technical abilities, but also to illustrate their character in coping under pressure. The options for the keeper called up are, quite simply, step up or step aside. And in this case, Ellie Roebuck has certainly risen to the occasion. Ellie Roebuck has all the makings of a world class keeper. A keen eye for an incoming play, paired with an instinctual aptitude to be quick off the mark, Roebuck has absolutely flourished over the past few months. Her assertiveness in times of danger, and her nerve to stick to her guns, has seen Roebuck look unstoppable at times. Roebuck is bold with her decisions. With a clear vision in reading a range of situations, she is adept in her response. Whether it is a standing, kneeling or diving save, Roebuck wholeheartedly throws herself into her decision, and usually gets it right. Quick to her feet after stopping a shot, Roebuck is always alert to the next threat, covering the goal remarkably well, even when the danger is seemingly unrelentless. Yet even when things do not go her way, Roebuck shows no signs of discontent, demonstrating a resilience of the highest order. Mike Stobe Crucially, Roebuck is unafraid to actively join her defence when the time calls. She does not hesitate to come off of her line when it is needed. However, she demonstrates an exceptional intellect in not doing so unnecessarily, trusting in the capabilities of her outfield counterparts. When it comes to set pieces, Roebuck is comfortable in orchestrating her defence. She is assured in coordinating her teammates to the optimum positioning of which she sees fit, demonstrating the essential communicative skills needed in a keeper to put your confidence in. Being in her early twenties, Roebuck’s age is not a hinderance to her. Rather it is a blessing for her future potential. Her youth does not inhibit her and she is more than capable of keeping up with the demand of players with far more experience. In fact, it is Roebuck that has kept these players in the game on occasion. Putting in consistently strong performances, Roebuck has most certainly been, not only a standout player at her club, but a standout player of the league; her call up for international duty is surely just the beginning. Already possessing the vital basic skills needed in goalkeeping at a top level, Roebuck really does hold an enormous amount of promise in her hands. There is no doubt that Ellie Roebuck is swaying the hopes of young girls and boys across the country. Those who were once aspiring to score goals are now dreaming of stopping them. Ellie Roebuck - our future number one.