Steph Catley reflected that “we did what we needed to do” to grind out a win against Reading in the Women’s Super League.
Speaking after the match, our Australian defender admitted that it wasn’t the easiest victory in relentless conditions: “It was a bit of a slog out there! Playing and holding onto a 1-0 lead, when it starts to rain like that, it gets pretty messy at times.
“Reading came out and they played an aggressive style: they pressed us, they changed what they were doing a few times and made it challenging.
“But we did what we needed to do: we got three points and a clean sheet,” she added.
The match against Reading marked our players’ return to club football after the October international window - a break in momentum that Catley noted has been a challenge.
“I think we've struggled in the past coming back from the international window, with getting everyone back on the same page. But you've got to really switch back on quickly because everyone plays differently in their international windows with their national teams.
“So it is tough, but I think with the training sessions you have, you just really have to lock in and listen and focus in meetings and then just take it out onto the pitch. You've just got to be stronger, you've got to be fitter, and you've got to win the 50/50s. it might not always be pretty, and it's not always possible to play pretty football. But in the end, if you get three points, then it's great”
With yet another clean sheet against the Royals, Catley was delighted by our record-breaking run of nine successive matches without letting in a goal.
“Yeah, that's unbelievable. Manu played a massive role by staying switched on and making saves like she did towards the end when it's slippery and it's raining as hard as it was.”
Catley, whose preferred position is as a strong and creative left-back, is now part of a new centre-back partnership alongside Lotte Wubben-Moy following significant injuries to both Rafaelle Souza and Leah Williamson.
“Obviously, we have lost two important centre-backs and two cogs there, so we've had to reshuffle a bit but I think it shows that we're capable of doing that and still getting results.”
Luckily, Wubben-Moy has been instrumental in reintroducing Catley to the position: “In all training sessions, I was just telling Lotte just to keep talking to me because I do naturally follow the ball and go towards the box. I want to be involved and I do find myself drifting and then going back.
“I'm doing the best I can. As much time as I can spend getting the angles right and yeah, and getting used to playing with Lotts and being in that centre-back position. I have done it in the past so it just takes time.”
Looking ahead to our midweek clash with the European champions, Olympique Lyonnais, Catley also spoke of the excitement and confidence within the team: “It should be incredible! I think the best part about the Champions League is it’s what you play for. It's the big moments, the big teams and the best place to test yourself.
“We’ve all played together for a long time and we're doing really well and we've obviously started the year really nicely. So we go in with a lot of confidence and hopefully, will get a win.”
Hear more from Steph by pressing play on the video above
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