Sheffield United forward Jess Sigsworth has high hopes for a successful season both in terms of her own goalscoring exploits and fulfilling team targets.
The Blades could be one of the most progressive clubs on the pitch this season after enjoying a successful summer in the transfer market. Manager Jonathan Morgan has brought in 12 new players so far while the club have been transitioning into a full-time operating model.
Forward Sigsworth is one of those 11 summer signings. She has a good record in the second tier after scoring 32 goals across two seasons for Doncaster Rovers Belles and Manchester United between 2017 and 2019. When speaking exclusively to FAWSL Full-Time, Sigsworth said that she is confident of reaching those goalscoring heights again this season.
“Yes, definitely,” Sigsworth said when asked if she can return to goalscoring form this season. “I was a Golden Boot winner with Doncaster Belles in the Championship, then the season after with Manchester United also in the Championship, so I’m hoping to make it a hat-trick with Sheffield United this season.”
Sheffield United go into the new season with high hopes after beating some of the promotion challengers towards the end of last season. Sigsworth says that it is not too early to mention the word ‘promotion’ although the team remain level-headed when it comes to the challenges ahead.
She said “No, definitely not (too early to mention promotion). I’m hoping for a great season, we’ve set our goal as getting into the top league and I think with the squad we’ve got, we can definitely do that, but we know it’s a tough league.”
Sheffield United boss Morgan has brought in a mix of youth and experience over the summer and Sigsworth is happy with the options that The Blades have in their ranks this season.
“I think we’re very versatile,” the forward said. “We’ve got a lot of young players but also a lot of experience and I think that bodes well and has molded the squad together really nicely.
“We’ve done really well during pre-season friendlies, performed well and we’re hoping to take that into the opening game this week.”
If Sheffield United are to challenge for promotion this season, they will have to beat the best. Their opening day fixture is against a potential promotion candidate in Charlton Athletic. Sigsworth believes that Sheffield United have enough to go to The Valley and make a statement of intent.
She said “Yeah, I’m really excited about it, I think it’s a great opening game at The Valley. I think Charlton are a tough team, they’re a tough team to play but I do think we have the quality to go down there and get the three points and hopefully, a great start to the season.”
Sheffield United’s opening Barclays Women’s Championship fixture of the season at Charlton Athletic kicks-off at 3pm on Sunday afternoon.