Having overtaken Chelsea to edge to the top of the WSL1 table at the weekend, Manchester City go into their UWCL Round of 16 second leg tie (which they lead 5-0 from last week’s away game) at home to Norway’s LSK Kvinner (7pm kick off), in rightly confident mood.
Although, as ever, in the pre-match build up they are staying calm and keeping a keen eye on any creeping complacency, reports RICH LAVERTY.
Praise for Rising Star
It would be hard to deny, however, that it hasn’t already been a rather good week for central midfielder Kiera Walsh, who on Monday night received the email informing her she would be joining the England squad and then just hours after collected the ‘Women’s Rising Star’ award at the rather glitzy Leesa 2017 North West Football Awards bash.
Manchester City manager Nick Cushing praised Keira Walsh’s consistency when asked about the 20-year-old midfielder receiving her first senior England call-up.
Having made her debut back in 2014 as a 17-year-old, Walsh has steadily developed into one of the best young midfielders in the country under Cushing’s guidance, and has finally been rewarded with a call-up from interim head coach Mo Marley, someone Walsh has worked with during the last few years at youth level.
“Keira has been consistent for us, not only a consistent performer but consistent in her development,” said Cushing ahead of Man City’s Champions League second round 2nd leg against LSK Kvinner on Thursday.
“We’ve pushed her hard and will continue to push her hard, but for Keira this is another part of the road on her journey. She has to continue to work hard, she’s going into that environment for the first time, and if she’s going to get it again then she’ll have to earn it. She knows she has to push hard to become the player she can be.”
City team mate Jennifer Beattie, speaking at the UWCL pre-match press conference, is an expert in Walsh’s defensive midfield role. She was also full of praise for her young team mate as she prepares to join the England squad and maybe, just maybe, make her debut next week.
“She absolutely deserves it,” said Beattie. “She’s been really consistent for us all season and she’s been one of our top players.
“For someone who has the attitude that she does towards training every day and playing games, I’m confident she has the attitude and application to continue her international career – her ability is incredible.”
Bardsley is Back
Cushing also praised goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, the 33-year-old returning to the England squad for the first time since fracturing her leg in the Euro 2017 quarter-final against France during the summer’s tournament.
“KB is what she is, a very good person and an excellent goalkeeper,” said the Man City manager. “She was disappointed with the injury she had, but she’s rehabbed well and been really focused and concentrated on her return.
“I thought she performed really well when she came back in, our goalkeeper department is really competitive and that’s both good for her and for us. She’s pleased to be back in the England squad and we always support our players and hope they’ll be successful when they get that opportunity with their country.”
Pre-Match Perspective
Nick Cushing on the current squad shape:
The shape of the squad is good, we’ve trained well after the Bristol game. The players had Monday off but we’ve trained Tuesday and Wednesday. Confidence is high, we’re enjoying it, we’re having fun and we’re winning. But we won’t be complacent because we know we have to play well.
And on the ‘UWCL mindset’:
When we’re playing well and winning games then confidence is high. But I always say your next draw or defeat is around the corner if you get complacent, it’s hard to win and it’s getting harder every year to win. We have to be on our level, the players have to train hard and there has to be competition for places. We knew one year in the Champions League would enhance our mindset, we’ve had that experience of travelling and playing different teams and tomorrow is another opportunity to build on our Champions League mindset.
Jen Beattie also on UWCL mindset:
Experiences are something to gain and we did well last season and as players they’re the games you want to be involved in.
