Brighton & Hove Albion manager Hope Powell has admitted that she is happy with the current format of the FA Women’s Continental League Cup.
The competition has come in for some criticism in recent seasons with some wanting to see a change in the tournament format to generate fresh interest and opportunities for growth.
When speaking to FA Women’s Super League Full-Time ahead of her side’s group fixture at Charlton Athletic on Wednesday evening, Albion boss Powell admitted that the group stage still has a purpose.
“I don’t mind it, I think it’s quite nice” said Powell when discussing the group stage of the competition. “Nowadays, squads are quite big and I think it gives you some time to play other players and certainly to blood young players in, I think is really important.
“The fact that you have not been knocked out after losing one game gives you the opportunity to play another game.
“I think it’s a good thing (the format), I quite like it.”
Brighton & Hove Albion come up against a Charlton Athletic side who have lost all of their last four matches in all competitions on Wednesday evening, a sequence which includes a 4-0 defeat at Reading in their first FA Women’s Continental League Cup group match. Powell went on to say that she will carefully balance her playing resources ahead of the club’s midweek trip to The Oakwood, potentially giving some minutes to fringe or young players.
She added “There will be some changes to the squad that played Everton for sure, we need to be mindful of those international players as well.
“We are just going to manage the load. Clearly, the priority for us is the league game but we want to do well in this competition as well.
“We are not taking Charlton for granted or assuming anything until the game is over but it does give an opportunity to those players who haven’t played many minutes.”
Brighton & Hove Albion’s FA Women’s Continental League Cup group fixture against Charlton Athletic at The Oakwood will kick-off at 7.45pm on Wednesday evening with the game being played behind-closed-doors.
About The Author
