Hear what Demi Stokes & Mark Sampson had to say after training on Monday & listen to Jodie Taylor too…
Left sided Manchester City defender DEMI STOKES (who attended college in South Florida) was amongst the raft of top performers against the USA, strong in the tackle, great positioning and disciplined against some of the most dangerous attacking players in the world game, we had a chat at the end of England’s training session in the sunshine at American University…
On how she found the USA game:
Great game, really enjoyable. I enjoy every England game but that was obviously a special night for a lot of us. I really enjoyed it and obviously the U.S. have a lot of fire power behind them, so it was really fun and just important that we kept them out.
On whether she had a word with Carli Lloyd after the game:
No, I didn’t. We’re not friends yet. But obviously I’m looking forward to getting to know her and playing with a player of her calibre.
On whether there was even a need for an ice bath after that game [in such cold temperatures]:
Yeah there definitely was. Everyone worked really hard in that game and did their roles really well and so I couldn’t fault any of them and so after that win it was ‘Germany heads on’, you’ve got to focus, keep grounded and let’s recover.
On how the legs feel after two games in just four days:
It’s what it’s about. You’ve got to be able to play a game and go again, play again. Obviously playing out in the States [at college], we did that. It was a Friday, Sunday. So for a few people they’re used to that and a lot of players have been in big tournaments, so you’ve just got to do everything right. Your recovery and your sleeping, at any opportunity you can get.
On what she expects from Germany:
We want to go and win. Obviously we’re aware that Germany are a good side but so are we. We are just focussed on what we can do as a team and go out and finish on a high.
On switching from full back to wing back within the changing England formations and growing more and more comfortable with that:
Sure, obviously at full back you’re not runninag as much as you do as a wing back, so I think you probably get more out of players, you have more energy to give elsewhere. So going from wing back to full back, they’re a little different but I enjoy them both.
On the game at the She Believes Cup last year, where Germany came from behind to win but got a fortunate goal, going in off Gilly Flaherty and whether she looks back at games in the past:
I think it’s good to reflect and I think we have been there but we haven’t quite gotten over the line, so for us we want to be getting over the line snd beating teams consistently. To be a world class team, that’s what you’ve got to do on a regular basis, win A LOT!
England Head Coach MARK SAMPSON was, as ever, generous with his time and shared some thoughts ahead of the big game (and listen to the extended conversation in the second link below).
On the buzz about the squad after the big win v USA:
Always there’s a better atmosphere after winning than after losing but I think the players are realistic about what’s still got to be achieved in this tournament, so they enjoyed the result and the performance but we’ve still gone through our processes in terms of the reflections, taking our key learnings and putting the hard work in to make sure we’re prepared to win against Germany. That’s been our focus ever since the final whistle went against America and we’re looking forward to what’s going to be a massive challenge.
On what he is expecting from Germany, who were poor against the USA and very good against France:
We’re playing Germany, but I keep telling the players not to overthink it, we’re playing Germany. I described our winning against the USA like winning against the All Blacks in rugby and now we’re playing another All Black level side who have consistently won, we know their European Championship record as we go into that tournament in the summer. Germany look they’re evolving a little bit. They’re a 4-4-2 without the ball but starting to become a bit more of a diamond with it, which causes some problems in itself, with not many wingers on the field. But our team’s got a good structure and I think we’re ready for whatever the opponents are going to throw at us, we’re going to answer those questions.
On whether playing first against Germany [before the USA v France game] makes a difference:
Yeah, it’s a big advantage for us. We want to put some points on the board. We want to sit down and chill out and cheer on whomever we need to cheer on but I think it’s an important one for us in terms of the psyche of the tournament. I said to the girls, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we can be in a comfy position when the US and the French turn up and then just sit back and let them do their thing and see who can win it?’ All we can do is get three points, I’ve told the players to get their mind away from goal difference, I don’t care about that. I want six points and if we get six points I’m confident that might be enough to win us this tournament.
Listen to the audio from Demi & striker Jodie Taylor here (Mark Sampson to follow Tuesday lunchtime as we build up to the big game!):
WATCH THE GAME!
Saturday 4 March
England v Germany: Tuesday 7 March (9pm GMT KO)
(All games are only viewable in the UK)
Then next month, you can watch the Lionesses play in person against Italy at Port Vale FC on Friday 7 April and Austria at MK Dons FC on Monday 10 April.
Tickets for both games are on sale now priced £7a.50 adults and £3.50 children for each game. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is available at £15 and group booking and Charter Standard discounts apply.
Tickets for both games can be bought via www.TheFA.com/Tickets.
Tickets for England v Italy are also available via 01782 655821, for England v Austria by calling 0333 200 5343 and in person at each club’s box office.
