Interview

‘We’re getting the rewards for our team balance’

Montemurro

We scored another four goals in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, but it was the way we controlled the game that impressed Joe Montemurro most.

Two goals to the good in the final 10 minutes, our defence stood strong and pushed high up the field in a bid to secure their sixth clean sheet of the season so far - and this laid the foundations for two late goals. 

We spoke to Montemurro after the final whistle - and this is what he said:

on the team’s overall performance…

We adjusted things to combat their defensive ways and we had to be patient to break them down and send more numbers forward at the right time but overall we were able to do it.

on whether the scoreline could have been bigger…

The best thing is that we’re creating chances and there were a lot of chances again today. I suppose the missed chances balance out the goals at the end so all in all I think it was warranted and merited.

on keeping five clean sheets in our last six WSL games…

It’s typical of the way we play. We’re obviously very attacking in our methodology and the way we want to play, but it’s also very, very important to have good balance and understanding of what to do when the ball breaks down. So far we’ve been reacting very well to that and we’ve been getting the rewards for it.

on Williamson’s commanding performance on the ball…

Leah’s really adapting to a bit more of a pro-active defending methodology. She’s got a bit of freedom to go forward and I’m really enjoying working with her. She’s getting the rewards for the amazing work that she’s put in over pre-season and the season so far, so all credit to her

on Nobbs linking up with Miedema in the final third…

Jordan’s got the freedom to find the space in the attacking third and obviously today with the way they play and how defensive they are, she was able to take up some more advanced positions. All credit to her because she found the space and got the rewards for it. 

on dominating possession even in the closing stages…

If we want to be the best, then we have to keep playing for 90 minutes. We can never stop and I think the work we’ve done over pre-season is showing in our games and the way that we play them out. We’re finishing teams off, which is very important, and all these goals and every moment will count at the end of the season we need to take advantage while we’re in control.