Brighton & Hove Albion have had an excellent start to the new Barclays FA Women’s Super League season.
Four points from two games, including a hard fought draw away at Manchester City, has ultimately resulted in manager Hope Powell being awarded the Barclays FA Women’s Super League’s Manager of the Month gong for September.
Speaking to FA Women’s Super League Full-Time in this morning’s club press conference, Powell was quick to point out that it was very much a group effort when it came to winning the award.
“I think for me personally, it’s always nice but I think for the players and the staff, it just highlights the progression we’ve made” said Powell.
“The fact that we’ve been able to compete against the so called ‘bigger clubs’, it’s a great start to the season.
“I appreciate that I get the accolade but unless they execute the game plan and put that in place obviously you wouldn’t even get nominated.”
Brighton & Hove Albion’s commitments in both cup competitions have resulted in a rather congested fixture schedule which includes four games in two weeks for The Seagulls. Powell doesn’t feel that is necessarily a negative thing.
She added “I think it has it’s pros and it’s cons. I think with the run of games, you’re likely to pick up injuries, that doesn’t help.
“Fatigue sets in which again can cause injuries, a bit of a break in-between fixtures certainly helps the recovery side.
“Conversely, it does help momentum, so I guess sometimes it does depend on who you’re playing.”
The quick-fire games has meant that many players have needed to adapt, with the likes Fliss Gibbons and Danielle Bowman playing in multiple positions. Nevertheless, this isn’t a cause for concern for Powell who has faith in her players to do the job when called upon.
“The players have the capability and the knowledge to perform more than one role and sometimes it’s needed” Powell said. “Some players are just coming back from long term injury, so it’s almost been forced upon us as well.”
Following Albion’s impressive displays in the early rounds of the campaign regardless of their injury woes, Powell is certainly optimistic for the season going forward.
She added “I think when you come away from Manchester City with that big point for us, I think it’s confidence building.
“All the big guns we’re playing very, very early but I think we go into those games with confidence.
“We will go and try and win the games, we know the calibre and the quality of those teams.
“Every game we’re striving to be better and we know that they’re going to be a real test.
“I think we’ve proved if on our day everybody does their job, it gives us a chance. I think we proved that against Manchester City”.
Fans returning to stadia is a big talking point at the minute with a petition having gathered pace throughout the week. Powell gave her views on the current situation by saying “Of course, it would be great to have fans in the stadium, I think it really lifts the players.
“I think players really enjoy playing in-front of spectators, certainly when it’s a home fixture. I think the priority certainly for me is the health and safety of every individual whether it’s players or fans.”
Any decision to allow fans back into grounds will come too late for Brighton & Hove Albion’s fixture against Arsenal on Sunday. The Gunners will be without star midfielders Jordan Nobbs and Kim Little amongst others but Powell is not taking their absences for granted.
She said “I think they have a quality squad, top class players, international recognised so we know the qualities of those two players.
“Equally. we know the qualities of the players they can and will bring in so, we just have to be mindful of that and we will prepare in exactly the same way and hopefully we’ll get something out of the game on Sunday.
“I think on Sunday we have to take the game and be respectful of the class that they have, but really work hard to show what we’re about. We know it’s going to be a tough game.”
Powell is clearly very focused on the objective going into the game. All that remains is for the players to do the jobs that are required of them. If that happens, it wouldn’t be a surprise if come Sunday afternoon, The Seagulls have taken more points against another of the top sides.
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