Everton Women go welcome Birmingham City to Goodison Park on Sunday, 4 October, at 2pm BST, wey be 9am ET and 6am PT. The match na the last game before the first international break of the season.
Scott Phelan don talk say him and him team fully focused ahead of the weekend game against Birmingham City. Everton Women want to get back to winning ways after dem suffer setback last week for Merseyside derby. But Phelan only dey focus on the task at hand and getting win over Amy Merricks’ side.
The Goodison clash na ideal chance to put right wetin lack last week for Anfield. That match leave some fans venting their frustrations against the head coach tactics and line-up. But Phelan don point to growth and development inside him team. Still, him warn against threat wey Birmingham pose, something wey him go address without emotion.
Phelan yarn say: ‘The mood was not affected too much – the girls have been in good spirits. We are fully focused on the challenge ahead of us this weekend against Birmingham City.’ Him add say: ‘There is always a process to follow, win or lose. The derby is done. We take the learnings from it and go in to the weekend. We want to win games of football. If we do win on Sunday, that will be four wins from six. That will be a decent enough start and something to build on.’
Him also talk about personal and team growth. ‘Personally, there has been lots of growth and development. In terms of the team, that is something that we are continuing to improve on.’ For him, points na the most important thing. ‘Hopefully, we can add more before the international break.’
Phelan believe say coach quality na to dey adaptable. ‘You need to take emotion out of decision-making. Birmingham have a number of good players that we need to be aware of. We are aware of their threats.’
Birmingham City na champions of last season WSL 2. Merricks’ side still never win any league game for top flight. Their last outing na six-goal thriller with fellow newbies Crystal Palace. Oceane Hurtre na their main goal threat. The French star don score four in four so far, and she go arrive Merseyside in confident mood to add to that tally.
But for back, Merricks get biggest wahala. Her side don ship 12 goals in four league games and still never keep clean sheet. Defender and former Toffee Millie Turner go want rectify that.
Both sides meet less than ten days ago for Subway Players Cup. So dem sabi each other well as cautious hosts meet maverick visitors. Everton no get problem that evening as goals from Zara Kramzar and Yuka Momiki settle matter. But Phelan know say scrutiny go dey on him selection.
The weekend na perfect time for the Toffees to show say dem get personality and grit to overcome setbacks. Dem go show fans and opposition wetin dem made of. The head coach don point to lack of belief in him young side and individual errors. So maybe starting XI fit include experienced Momiki and Maz Pacheco. Aurora Galli impress for her only start of the season so far, the cup win against Birmingham.
Goals still dey hard to come by for Everton, just two in four league games. Fitness of Noemie Mouchon and Jutta Rantala fit enter Phelan thought process. Mouchon get her first taste of action for the derby. With Blues set for few weeks off after Sunday, this game fit be most important for the manager brief tenure for Goodison hotseat.
For BBC live update, all square at half-time at Goodison Park. Ruby Mace put Everton in front, Oceane Hurtre level soon after with her fifth WSL goal of the season for Birmingham. The home side hammer the door down for second but no avail so far. Everton dey push to re-take lead with Sophia Baggaley busy in Birmingham goal. Still level for now.
Tickets for the clash still dey available.
