Coventry United manager Jay Bradford was frustrated to see her side lose 1-0 at home to newly-promoted Sunderland this afternoon but she is hopeful that things will begin to gel quickly.
Bradford handed debuts to seven of her summer signings against The Lady Black Cats but Coventry United huffed and puffed against a Sunderland side who were organised and resolute throughout.
Sunderland keeper Claudia Moan was rarely called upon to make a save and she was able to punch away most of the dangerous balls which came into the box. The Lady Black Cats were also given too much time and space out wide when on the attack, particularly in the period leading up to their goal.
Speaking in the post-match press conference in which FAWSL Full-Time were present, Bradford said that there were several factors which contributed to her side’s opening day defeat but she is hoping to see improvements in the coming weeks.
“We definitely didn’t create enough;” Bradford said. “There are a combination of things, on the ball we were sluggish, we didn’t move the ball quick enough, we didn’t stick to the game plan and the players know that.
“You’ve got to take into account the fact that we are a new team. Those moments where the ball is just running through slightly, I think give us a couple of games and things will be tidied up.
“It’s disappointing. We were making bold statements about wanting to win and win leagues and go up into the Super League and be a professional team like we now are but I don’t think that performance marries up with those words that we have been saying so it’s disappointing.”
Coventry United were not the only team to record a disappointing result on the FA Women’s Championship’s opening day. There were a number of unexpected results across the league and Bradford admits that there will be many ups and downs throughout the season.
She added “Nobody wins the league on the opening day and nobody loses the league on the opening day, nobody gets relegated.
“It’s just one of those things and I think that the beauty of the Championship now is that anybody can beat anybody, it’s not cut and dry. It’s not just a top two that are clean away with it and then the bottom two will be struggling.
“Sunderland deserve credit, they’ve come here today and they’ve done a job on us. They’ve clearly spent their pre-season preparing for this and that showed.
“Other teams will pick up points when not expected and it will become that type of league which is exciting for the women’s game.”
Coventry United will now be aiming to pick up their first points of the season when they travel to The Oakwood to take on Charlton Athletic next weekend.