We spoke with Portsmouth FC Ladies manager, Perry Northeast, after his side won through to the third round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over FAWPL Southern Division title rivals Cardiff City LFC.
SK: What do you think to your FA Cup 3rd draw away to Aston Villa?
PN: We are really looking forward to it and the players know that it can be a very winnable tie. We’ve enjoyed testing ourselves against WSL opposition in the two previous seasons and enjoyed a fair amount of success, so we will put in a plan and hopefully come out on top. Villa obviously have some dangerous players and a good overall setup but as long as we prepare in an appropriate manner, I’m sure it will be a great game.
Pictured – Portsmouth score in the FA Cup against Cardiff.
SK: Is the amount of goals conceded a concern, especially after only letting one in during the opening four games?
PN: Being a coach, conceding goals will always be a concern and obviously I would like us to have conceded a fewer amount of goals at this stage of the season. This stat however cannot be changed now and instead we can work on becoming slightly tighter for the second half of the season.
SK: Does being in a tight pack of four behind Brighton make most games feel like cup finals?
PN: To be honest and in my opinion every game should be played with a cup final mentality, regardless of any given situation. People often use the term ‘play like it’s a cup final’… imagine how powerful a team could be if that theory was executed to every training session, every game, every day… that’s the attitude I want to achieve at Portsmouth. So in answer, yes lets create a cup final atmosphere for every fixture we play.
SK: With the ground you have to make up on the leaders, is Brighton away a must-win game?
PN: I enjoy our games against Brighton as they are packed with intensity, drama and good football. Not only have both teams been competing towards the top of the Premier League for a few seasons but we are also south coast neighbours and many of the players and coaching staff have got to know one another very well. For all of these ingredients, Portsmouth v Brighton is always a must win tie for both teams.
SK: Who, other then yourselves, do you see mounting the biggest threat to the current top team?
PN: Each team will posses a threat and I’m sure do their best to create havoc over the next couple of months. None of the teams can be written off at this stage but expect plenty of excitement heading into February and March…Imag
Images by Jordan Hampton
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