We spoke with Sporting Club Albion manager, Graham Abercrombie, after the Baggies yesterday won 3-0 at Derby County in the much-delayed FA Premier League Cup 2nd Round tie.
SK: How good was that, to start the new year by knocking title rivals out of the League Cup?
GA: It was just good to get back on a pitch and get a game under our belt. The result was great against a really organised Derby County.
SK: Is the fact that you’ve conceded in every game bar one a concern, considering you are scoring plenty of goals?
GA: It’s not a concern. I think the quality of the opposition is excellent in this league, both north and south, and I give huge credit to the teams we are playing against. It’s tough to keep clean sheets against anyone.
SK: What else has been the most pleasing aspect of the team’s form so far this season?
GA: The most pleasing aspect of this current season is the fact we have all learnt from the valuable lessons of last season when we finished 10th. We’ve improved a number of off field areas and that is helping things on field.
SK: What football-related pressies did you get for Christmas and what did you really want?
GA: I got a number of books that are football-related. I think it’s an easy one for anyone who knows me and they are always very much appreciated. I simply wanted for the squad to stay as fit and healthy as possible over the Christmas and new year period……and I think they all did as well as they could!
SK: Do you prefer playing in the current rain-sodden pitches, or yearn for the traditional snowy and crisp surfaces?
GA: I could go on for a long long time about why I believe all women’s football should become a summer league with the weather issues we face and the host club venues dictating when games can be played but I’ll leave that for another day. There’s very little we can do about the weather but I think most would prefer a firmer surface rather than the heavier soddened pitches. It simply keeps the quality of the games higher and on a personal front, is better for my washing machine when the kit goes in!
SK: What do you envisage the club can achieve in 2016?
GA: I honestly don’t know. The quality of the league has improved so much this season, it’s difficult to know what can be achieved. Our season goal was and still is to not have a season like last year. I think we have done everything possible to try and fulfil that goal so far but there’s an awful long way to go. We’ll simply keep working hard, reflect on the season when it’s over in May then all head off on our well deserved summer holidays!
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