Sunderland manager Melanie Reay says that her side have nothing to fear when they face Barclays Women’s Championship leaders Southampton this weekend.
The Black Cats travel to St Mary’s Stadium to face the only team with a 100% record after two rounds of matches. Sunderland have enjoyed a good start to the season themselves, picking up four points from two sides that are fancied to do well.
Only a second half Ella Pusey goal could separate Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary’s Stadium last season and Reay believes that her side can travel to the South Coast this weekend full of confidence.
“Last year, when we went to St Mary’s, it was a really close game and I’d like to think that the squad has improved since last year,” Reay said when speaking in the pre-match press conference.
“We go there in good spirits. They’re a well-organised team, well-drilled and used to playing on a big pitch at St Mary’s but the girls feel full of confidence at the minute and they certainly have nothing to fear.”
While Sunderland have kept two clean sheets in two games so far this season, they have scored just one goal. Reay believes that her side have given themselves a base to build upon and that the goals will come.
She said “Clean sheets are really important, we only got three last year but we’ve already had two in the opening two games (this season).
“I keep saying to the players that it gives you a platform to go on and win games if you are keeping the ball out of your own net.
“I think the attacking style will continue to grow. The players are a bit frustrated that they are not putting more chances away but when you look at the team, it’s a brand new midfield; Emily Scarr hasn’t played on the left for over a year so she’s got to get used to playing back there and Mary McAteer is new on the right-hand side.
“It’ll take a bit more time to develop relationships but as long as we are scoring goals to win games, more will hopefully follow.”
Sunderland’s Barclays Women’s Championship fixture at Southampton kicks-off at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.