New Birmingham City manager Marc Skinner hopes that fellow new Blue Ellen White can inspire his team to success in this season’s Women’s FA Cup – starting with a win over West Midland rivals West Bromwich Albion.
Victory in Sunday’s fifth round tie against their lower ranked FAWPL opponents – who have already played four games to reach this stage – will see Skinner’s side reach the last eight of the competition, and leave them just two games away from a Wembley final WRITES PAUL NICHOLSON.
Birmingham, who won the competition in 2012, are now a part of the Birmingham City FC family, and Skinner understands the extra pressure for success that this brings with it.
Speaking to She Kicks, Skinner (pictured) said: “To be honest, I try to objectify the pressure placed upon my team and myself. I am the first to place pressure on myself so any more will just add fuel to my ambitions for this team.
“We would love to emulate previous cup successes and that will of course be the aim moving forward.”
Skinner hailed the arrival of 60-cap England international, Olympian and former WSL winner White from rivals Notts County, and hopes that her experience and ambition will help the team’s aspirations for success this season, and also compensate for the loss of Mel Lawley and Kirsty Linnett, who left during the off-season.
“Ellen White is a fantastic addition to this team, both on and off the field. She inspires in training through performance, personal drive and ambition.
“I had watched Ellen for a number of years and when the opportunity came for the club to sign her, it was an absolute must.
“Mel and Kirsty are obviously very good players and we wish them all the best at their new respective clubs. It is however an opportunity for my players to express who they are and develop themselves at the highest level.
“I am very happy with the business the club has allowed me to do and we look forward to showcasing our approach in the new season.”
Skinner has no injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s tie, and insists his side will not under-estimate their FAWPL opponents.
“We are looking to foster an approach with the team that doesn’t place too much emphasis on what the opposition team can and can’t do. We will however ensure we analyse every opponent carefully and prepare for their strengths and weaknesses in enough detail.
“We feel that this approach will hopefully serve us well, by allowing a calculated calmness of being prepared to impose our play on teams rather than just react to what they do.”
He admits that the aim is to win the trophy, and hopes it will be the platform for a successful 2017 campaign, but believes that the future of Birmingham City is bright, whether they achieve immediate success or not.
“We know we have a talented group of players that, with the right training and development, can approach games with the consistency needed to harvest future success.
“We may need to be patient until that environment is fully established but the journey we take along the way will leave us in a better place.
“We want to create and build the foundations for a winning environment throughout the entire club. This will enable sustained success with the development of players that will be brought through the Birmingham City Ladies way of playing.”
The fifth round SSE Women’s FA Cup tie takes place at the Automated Technology Group Stadium, Sollihull Moors FC, Birmingham on Sunday, with a 2.00pm kick-off.
Tickets are available online priced £7 for Adults and £4 for concessions (under-16 or over-65). Alternatively, you can pay at the gate, where prices will be £8 for Adults and £5 for concessions.
Family tickets (2 adults & 2 children) are also available, priced £18 online, or £20 on the gate.
Other ties:
SSE WOMEN’S FA CUP 5th ROUND
Saturday 18th March
Manchester City v Reading (Acadeny Arena, 2pm)
Sunday 19th March (2pm)
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (Boreham Wood FC)
Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion (Solihull Moors FC)
Bristol City v Millwall Lionesses (Stoke Gifford Stadium)
Chelsea v Doncaster Rovers Belles (Staines Town FC)
Liverpool v Everton (Select Security Stadium)
Notts County v Yeovil Town (Eastwood Town FC)
Sunderland v Aston Villa (Hetton Centre)
Fifth Round winners receive £3,000 prize money
