Chelsea Ladies bring the curtain down on the FA WSL season this Sunday with a home game against Lincoln, and assistant manager Paul Green has been speaking to the official Chelsea website to look ahead to the game and assess the campaign as a whole.
Bristol disappointment
Our most recent encounter saw us fall to a 3-1 home defeat against Bristol Academy earlier this month, but Green doesn't believe the scoreline was a fair reflection of how the game developed, as he explains.
Our most recent encounter saw us fall to a 3-1 home defeat against Bristol Academy earlier this month, but Green doesn't believe the scoreline was a fair reflection of how the game developed, as he explains.
'It was a strange game because in terms of our performance on the ball we were really pleased,' he says. 'We dominated possession, even in the first half, but the story of the game seemed to be that we had lots of the ball and then they would break and score. It happened throughout the first half; they only had three attacks but scored three goals.
'In the second half we were 3-0 down but we played some good stuff. Rosella Ayane scored a brilliant goal and she produced as good a debut performance as I've ever seen at this level, she was outstanding, so that was a major positive.
'In terms of the football we played, we were happy, but we keep shooting ourselves in the foot and conceding sloppy goals which we need to stop.'
Seeking home comforts
Emma Hayes's side have a fantastic opportunity to finish the season on a positive note in front of our own supporters when we welcome Lincoln to Staines Town FC on Sunday.
Emma Hayes's side have a fantastic opportunity to finish the season on a positive note in front of our own supporters when we welcome Lincoln to Staines Town FC on Sunday.
Having been beaten 2-0 in the away fixture last month, Green anticipates another tough test.
'We need to finish strongly and hopefully get the three points,' he says. 'We've already played Lincoln this season so we know what to expect, they're well organised, disciplined and very competitive, so we know we need to match them physically to get on top in the game. If we don't do that it will be difficult game for us.'
Future looks brightWith the season drawing to a close, Green, coming to the end of his first campaign at the club, offered his thoughts on our overall performance, and he believes while results haven't been perfect, there are certainly positives to take.
'It's been a transitional season but we're happy with the way our style of play is developing, even though it's not always shown in results,' he explains. 'Emma's philosophy of playing out from the back and playing pass-and-move football has really come on and we've managed to integrate a lot of young players into the squad, the likes of Jodie Brett, Hannah Blundell, Drew Spence, Rosella Ayane, they're all schooled in that way of playing so that will pay off long term.
'Overall there have been a lot of positives, we have an exciting future with the current crop of players coming through who have now sampled Super League football and will have that experience ready for next season, but we know we need to strengthen in certain areas and we'll be looking to do that at the end of the season.'
Chelsea Ladies take on Lincoln this Sunday (29 September) at Staines Town FC, kick-off 2pm, for the last game of the Super League season and supporters are invited to come down to Wheatsheaf Park to enjoy an afternoon of football and family entertainment.
The new Chelsea FC mascot Bridget the Lioness will be at the game and the Chelsea Girls Centre of Excellence will be paraded on the pitch at half time. There will also be a half time crossbar challenge and many prizes to be won on the day including a signed shirt.
All of the players including Japanese international Yuki Ogimi and England and Team GB star Eniola Aluko will be available to sign autographs and have photos taken at the end of the game.
Chelsea season ticket holders and members can gain entry to the match for just £1, while supporters under the age of 16 will be admitted to the game for free. Tickets are available on the day priced £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.
