We spoke with Stoke City Ladies Vice Captain, Cassie Hyde, about the Potters’ positive experience so far of their first season in the FA Premier League.
SK: You’re at the right end of the table, did you envisage the team doing quite so well?
CH: I always had belief in us as a team that we could grind out results, as I feel we had nothing to lose coming into this league for the first time. However, our start was a shock and realistically, staying in the league was my personal aim, so to have done so well so far, I’m pretty impressed with how its going and feel we competed at the same level as most teams are in this league.
SK: What would you say are the main differences you’ve experienced after winning the Midland Combination?
CH: Last season you could make mistakes and sometimes get away with them, the tempo this season is a lot higher and if you make a mistake or don’t take your chances, you will get punished. We know that concentration and organisation is key until the final whistle is blown.
SK: Can you specify any highs and lows so far in 2013-14?
CH: A high for me would be our first game of the season in the Premier League. The nerves leading up to the game and being able to compete in such a great match, score us a late goal to seal a 3-3 draw away at Newcastle, was a good feeling not just for myself but for the whole team and having that belief coming off the pitch at the end. Lows would be playing Sheffield away in the league and Coventry in the FA Cup, just games where we weren’t at the races and not concentrating throughout. Another low is just not being able to gather consistency. I feel that at our best we can compete against any team we play but if that level isn’t kept, you are punished, as we have been at times.
SK: Who is the best player you’ve come up against this season and why?
CH: It’s hard to say as there are a lot of talented players I’ve come up against but as a defender I would say Gemma Watson from Preston North End. Her pace and skill on the ball is the best I’ve seen and horrible to defend against, as is her strength. But I can’t not mention the Sheffield FC squad as many players in that team are very talented and do seem a step above at times.
Stoke City manager Andrew Frost is interviewed in the new issue of She Kicks, which you can buy here.
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