Brighton & Hove Albion assistant manager Amy Merricks says that the team are looking to put in a 90-minute performance against Chelsea at The People’s Pension Stadium this weekend.
The Seagulls are in poor form with six straight defeats in all competitions while they have failed to score in those matches. Last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at struggling Leicester City saw the players come in for some criticism from manager Hope Powell.
When speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s clash with Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion’s assistant manager Merricks explained that the team have played well in spells but ultimately, they must now look ahead with the aim of delivering a performance over 90 minutes.
“We look forwards now,” Merricks said. “There were some good parts to Sunday’s game and we want to build on that, the Man City fixture there were some real positives in the first half of that and now it is about finding that consistency over the 90 minutes.
“We need to be a bit braver on the ball and cuter with our final pass to retain possession and progress up the pitch. Looking forwards, we have to learn our lessons quickly, continue to do the basics, continue to be hard to beat but build on the positives that we have seen in the past few weeks.”
Despite Brighton & Hove Albion struggling to regain momentum and to find those positive results, Merricks went on to say that there have been some strong messages in the dressing room and that the players are responding in the right way.
She said “There have been some really honest conversations this week between the players and staff. The group always reflect deeply and honestly with each other which is the sign of a great side and great individuals that lead that process. For sure, they are wanting to put words into actions.
“We have to focus on delivering a performance, if we look to deliver and good and better performance and do the basics well, we put ourselves in a good position and that is the first step that we need to take and the players recognise that. Those conversations have been really good this week and training is positive, it’s focused and everyone is looking forward.”
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Chelsea at The People’s Pension Stadium kicks-off at 12.30pm on Sunday.
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