Eidevall on McCabe's 'winning mentality'

With Emily Fox currently away at the Gold Cup with the USWNT, Katie McCabe has been asked to fill in at right back. 

As one of our most consistent and versatile players, McCabe has proven her worth in almost every outfield position over the years and head coach Jonas Eidevall couldn't be happier with her contribution to the team. 

"I think Katie has a similar mindset to what I have and that’s to be saying that when there comes an opportunity to try to see something different, that you look forward to doing that because you know that you maybe learn something new from it," said Eidevall in our pre-Villa press conference.

"You might see new angles, new tools coming into play, so that was my original thinking with it. Let’s try to see how you get Katie’s qualities out in the right full-back position. I find she’s very much like that. Whenever I’ve been coming to her and asking her to play a position, I think I’ve ended up almost asking her about almost all positions except central defender, goalkeeper and the nine during my two and a half years here, she always comes in and says ‘no problem, I’ll play where you need me to be."

As it happens, McCabe has actually played as a false nine once before in the Conti Cup prior to Eidevall's arrival at the club. She scored twice. 

"That’s good! It’s just central defender here now that might be the first time I get a no from her!. 

"She wants to understand the basics in the position and from there on we talk about how to get her strengths out of that position and she takes that on board. I think she’s very brave with that and never ever tried to be having a conversation like ‘I feel more comfortable playing in this position.’ She’s very much thinking, ‘if that’s where the team needs me, I’m all for it and let’s make the best out of it.’ Me personally, I love that mentality. I really think that’s a winning mentality and a great way when you want to set the team culture."