With the international break now in full swing, Birmingham City head coach Darren Carter has been reflecting on his side’s season so far whilst also looking ahead to the next couple of weeks.
With five games under their belt in all competitions and three wins, it has been a successful start to 2022/2023 for the Blues who were relegated from the Barclays Women’s Super League last season.
Ahead of the international break, FAWSL Full-Time spoke to Birmingham City boss Carter who said that he is pleased with how his side’s performances are coming together.
“We were changing some things this year, especially style of play, so we knew there would be a few little teething problems along the way,” Carter said.
“We are getting more consistent with our performances now, we are trusting what we are trying to do and the players are taking it all on board. It’s about finding our balance.”
In their first game against higher opposition since being relegated, Birmingham City defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup thanks to goals from Libby Smith, Jade Pennock and Lucy Quinn. After watching his side collect their first three points in this season’s competition, Carter was thrilled with the Blues’ overall performance and he is looking to maintain the high standards moving forward.
He said “That’s the level now. If we can perform like that in our league games, I think it will stand us in very, very good stead.”
It has been difficult for all teams to maintain a rhythm so far with the domestic season being so stop-start due to international breaks and a pause in play following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. However, this is a crucial time for players to meet up with their respective nations as they look ahead to the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year.
“I know this break is going to be quite important for a couple of our players,” Carter said. “Christie Murray is in the play-offs with Scotland, Charlie Estcourt with Wales and then our Irish contingent have got big games.
“From our perspective at the club, we want to keep the momentum going and you want to play another game as quickly as possible but we’ll work hard over the break with the players that stay with us. We’ve got to make sure we are ready come the Southampton game so we can continue this confidence that we’ve got.”
Over the next two weeks, Birmingham City will be looking to improve their quality and consistency, as well as working on taking their chances in the box.
Carter added “I would like us to be a little more ruthless in front of goal. I’ve said that about us on a number of occasions this year but we are creating chances. If I was going to be picky, I would say can we take a few more?
“The challenge is to now be consistent with everything we do in and out of possession because we’ve shown if we do that, we are a very good team and we can go up against some very good opposition.”
Birmingham City return to Barclays Women’s Championship action on Monday 17 October when they travel to Southampton.