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Kerr on defeat, improving and WSL

Shelley Kerr
Shelley Kerr

Arsenal Ladies manager Shelley Kerr spoke to the media after her side were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage on Sunday afternoon.

Here's a transcript of what she had to say:

on the defeat…
The first thing I would like to say is a huge congratulations to Birmingham. I thought over the two legs they thoroughly deserved to be in the semi-final. What they did do well was the basics. They fought for every single ball, they were committed, they had hunger, they had desire. Saying that, our goalkeeper didn't have a save to make today but that's football and I think we just need to move on quickly. We're really disappointed but all credit to Birmingham.

on the performance over the two legs with a new team…
Yes of course but Birmingham have had a lot of new, inexperienced players in as well and they've done a fantastic job. They've done the basics better than us.

on the upcoming WSL season…
We've got to get ready. When you see our performances over the two legs, we're not good enough to win the competition. But we need to put that behind us and get ready for the Super League competition which is the bread and butter in women's football. We need to go back to the drawing board and make improvements.

on the main improvements that need to be made…
Basics. I don't think any player goes out there not wanting to try, that's the first thing. These players were trying but we need to do basic things better. Our passing wasn't as good as it's been. That's what happens when you get put under pressure, Birmingham did that and we have to cope with that better.