Reading defender Bethan Roberts says that new manager Liam Gilbert has brought a good buzz to the club.
Gilbert was unveiled as Reading’s new boss a little over a week ago. He had success with FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division club Oxford United last season.
Following their relegation from the Barclays Women’s Super League at the end of last season, Reading have endured a period of uncertainty but defender Roberts says that new boss Gilbert has brought a fresh burst of energy to the club.
“There’s been a really good buzz around the place,” Roberts said when speaking exclusively to FAWSL Full-Time. “It has been a hard pre-season for everyone involved with the club with the uncertainly but since Liam has come in with his assistant, there has been a real buzz around the place, good energy and there is more stability now which is good for us.
“It has been a really good couple of weeks.”
Reading have started to transition to part-time operations over the summer, although several full-time employees remain contracted to the club. Roberts went on to say that there are no significant differences between the full-time and part-time players in the squad.
She said “It is a really exciting squad. I don’t think the split of part-time and full-time players really comes into it.
“I think we will be a really together group this season. With the times that have gone before, it has brought us even closer. It is a really exciting squad this season.”
The 2022/2023 season was one to forget for Roberts with injuries severely impacting her on-field progress. The player sees the drop to the Barclays Women’s Championship as a real opportunity for personal growth.
“It was a difficult season for me last year,” the defender said. “I had a couple of injuries which didn’t help my situation.
“Part of the reason why I signed on for another year is that it is a really good opportunity to get some game time under my belt. There’s a lot of healthy competition but I am hoping I can stake my place in the team.”
Reading kick-off the new season at Crystal Palace this afternoon. Both clubs are under new management and Roberts admits that the game is a bit of an unknown.
She said “It’s a bit of an unknown but we’ve prepared as much as possible based on what we are expecting from them.
“We are an unknown team coming into the Championship but a lot of the other teams are a bit unknown too. I think it’ll be a good game to start off the season.”
Reading’s Barclays Women’s Championship fixture at Crystal Palace kicks-off at 2pm.