The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - A punchy return for WSL and Ballon d’Or debate – Women’s Football Weekly

Episode Date: October 18, 2022

Faye Carruthers, Suzanne Wrack, Anita Asante and Robyn Cowen wrap up the latest round of WSL action – plus a word on the Ballon d’Or and state of play in the Championship

This is The Guardian. Without insurance, your assets are at risk from major financial losses, data breaches, and natural disasters. Get customized coverage today starting at $19 per month at zensurance.com. Be protected. Be Zen. Hello, I'm Faye Carruthers and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. The WSL returns after an international break that felt like it went on forever, but it's business as usual as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and City get wins. Meanwhile, in the Midlands, Mailing and Sissoko end up as the undercard for Marshall and Shields, even if it was at the Poundland version of the O2.

We'll dissect all the weekend action, argue over the Ballon d'Or, take your questions, maybe discuss Millie Bright's boots, and that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Well, what a panel we have today. Susie Rack, how are you doing? I am good. Good to be back. Oh, wow. Okay. I feel like I over-egged it at the start and in comes Susie, chilled. Yeah, fine. Yeah, I'm good. I'm having

my vibe. Did you see Millie Bright's boots at the National Television Awards? No, no, I have not seen this. What? Did you find them? Did anybody else? anybody else Robin Cowan oh I had to google it after you said you were going to mention it and they are magnificent I've got to say I mean I couldn't pull them off no way being five foot one I mean they'd go up to my head that would be quite amazing Anita Asante own any boots like that? I don't, but I wish I could pull them off. She looked amazing. I was like Beyonce-esque with those boots, but yeah. Just incredible. I was just mesmerised by them.

I'm glad I wasn't at the National Television Awards because I'd have looked a bit weird following Millie Bright around. Shiny bright light. Right, let's kick off with last night's Ballon d'Or ceremony. Different kind of shiny bright light. Right, let's kick off with last night's Ballon d'Or ceremony. Different kind of shiny bright light. So, Alexia Putea is picking up her second consecutive win, finishing one point ahead of Beth Mead, who is in second place.

Sam Kerr finishing in third. Susie, can Beth Mead feel slightly hard done by coming in second? I mean, she won the Golden Boot, best player at Euros her country won, and played a massive role in an Arsenal team who only finished a point behind WSL winners Chelsea. I mean, a point behind twice for two different things. Yeah, I think she should feel very hard done by it. I mean, don't get me wrong.

I think this is the problem that all big awards, individual awards like this have, right? Like, it's who is objectively the best player in the world at football and then who has been the best player in the last year are two different things but they seem to like the line between that seems to budge so like we tell us objectively probably one of the best women playing football on the planet at the moment if not the best did she have the best year she had a very good year but for me Beth did it at club level with Arsenal like yes she didn't win any trophies and I think that maybe

you know sort of made the difference but she had a phenomenal year for Arsenal and then she had the Euros that she had and no disrespect for Proteus like incredible goal scoring records at Barcelona last season obviously they won trophies didn't win the Champions League she doesn't play at the Euros for me that's not enough to put her ahead of Meade despite the fact that she is probably objectively a better football player than Beth Meade if that makes sense so that for me is yeah there's no like line on these awards as to like exactly like how you square that circle. Yeah, Robin's nodding along, but we have to say there was something quite bittersweet and poignant about Puteas lifting this trophy when obviously we're not going to see her play for most of the season because of that ACL injury she picked up.

Absolutely, yeah. All so gutted when when that happened before the Euros but also in the context of what's happened with the Spanish team you know it's actually you think is she going to be held back along with her other teammates because of what's going on so you know it's tricky and I totally agree with Susie like yeah she probably is the best footballer but in terms of like you know you're taking it on isolation possibly i think beth mead should have won it but it's just i almost think i know why they have to do this but kind of these sort of awards individual awards for a team sport are kind of i don't it's just so hard it's almost pointless really to kind of everyone's going to

argue about it no one's going to be happy it's kind of it's not the point of football is it which is very much a team sport for most but uh yeah Patea I don't think anyone would would begrudge her obviously she's incredible uh Anita obviously it was a historic win for Alexia being the first women's player to win the award back to back and this is a difficult, especially bearing in mind how far the women's game has come. Where do you think she stands in terms of the all-time greats? Oh, she's definitely up there. I think, you know, I agree with both points that Susie and Robin made is that objectively speaking, you could ask someone, OK, in in your team who would you take Beth

Mead or Pateas you know it depends on what kind of players you that and their attributes and qualities that you really value and you think that you know that they could what they could do for you and a particular team um but I do think like you said Beth Mead is is really unfortunate not to win because she did have a fantastic season she had an incredible Euros and are we basing these awards just on what you do domestically at your club which is what Pateas obviously did with Barcelona on the basis of last season but didn't compete didn't win a Champions League didn't even compete in the Euros. Yeah, that is probably the main issue here, realistically speaking.

But yeah, it's always tough with these individual awards because ultimately the players that score goals and assist, they get help. They don't do it by themselves, do they? Realistically speaking. So we're always going to have these challenging debates, but they're great ones to have because it goes on to the end of time. But she's definitely up there with the martyrs for me she's you know I think Megan Rapinoe is a

fantastic player but I think she's better definitely so she definitely warrants being in that all-time greats list yeah absolutely congratulations Alexia and congratulations Beth as well because still coming second is an enormous achievement for sure. Right let's kick off the WSL action shall we. Arsenal kept up their 100% record with a 1-0 win over Reading. A record crowd by the way of 3,660 at the Medeski Stadium for this one. Stina Bleck-Stinius had the only goal of the game. Wasn't without its nervy moments though, was it Susie? Oh, no. That's the Arsenal fan in me coming out there, isn't it?

No, it's such a big worry for Arsenal not having Leah Williamson as it is for England. We saw against Czech Republic. They look a very different team without her there, both in terms of going forward as well as defensively. But then also no raffaelli as well for arsenal at the back so you've got this makeshift center back pairing of lot of what moi who is very very good and steph catley who isn't naturally a center back and you know you it's quite a quite a new thing and the relationship isn't really you know kind of naturally there between them in that position um and it did look hairy um probably should have been a few goals up uh in the first

half um some really like nice opportunities missed a couple of efforts off the crossbar but you will always bet on Arsenal to win a game like that, maybe by a bigger margin. And yeah, I think it speaks to the lack of Lille, mostly. Interesting, Anita, as a former defender, how much impact does shaking up a defence like that have on a team? And how do you think those two, if they were to play against Lyon in the Champions League this week are going to fare? Oh very good question Faye I think no for me personally keeping your defence solid is a massive part to making the team feel secure and building that trust and you know relationship with your goal. When you start having a makeshift defence,

everyone, you're kind of learning again what people do. You know, you have different types of centre-backs that complement each other, those that are front-footed and aggressive and those who just read the game really well or are quick to recover and things like that. So I think that's the problem as well for Arsenal because Leo is a leader in the team as well for Arsenal, because Leah is a leader in the team as well as just a very good centre-back and not having that, you know,

vocal leader in the back line who's kind of marshalling things makes things a bit more challenging because then it's like, who's taking responsibility? Steph Catley, it's not her natural position. So maybe she's not communicating as much as she would normally, for example, just subtle things. And then that connection to the spine of your team, keep the spine of your team solid, then you can kind of tinker with other positions a little bit. So that's the challenge. And I think now going against Lyon, you know, it will be difficult for them because they haven't had a consistent run of games where they've been playing in this way. Yeah, it's going to be fascinating to see how they do that because we still don't know how long Leah Williamson is going to be out for.

So, you know, they're going to have to try and get this communication and see how they fare. And I suppose test yourself against the reigning Champions League winners will be a good way to look into it. Yeah, I just wanted to say I don't understand why we don't know what Leah Williamson's injury is yet. Like, why haven't they told us what it is? I'm really worried that they've not told us.

There's a thing in women's football, isn't there? Yeah. But, you know, both from an England and an Arsenal point of view. I have to say that lack of communication about what the injury actually is, is the biggest worry, I would say. Robin, Kelly Chambers' team

looked a little bit more robust, perhaps, than they had before the international break. A fantastic debut for goalkeeper Jackie Burns as well. We maybe just don't give Kelly Chambers enough credit, I would say, as a manager. She did a really good job. Yeah, no, I think you're right. I think the reason Reading have been successful is pretty much because of Kelly Chambers, who just seems to single handedly run the whole operation. She's incredible. And this was a really impressive performance. We know they can put out these really good rear guard actions. I remember last season watching their win against Chelsea, you know, Rose scoring and then basically backs the wall. And it was just it was so exciting to watch, even though it was basically defence defence against attack and it was brilliant um I think they were very unlucky some of their set

pieces were really good um Zinsberger made some really good saves and I think Arsenal occasionally their decision making wasn't great when they're on the attack just one too many touches but I do think I mean the weather was absolutely filthy wasn't't it? So I do think, yeah, we obviously don't want to, players don't like to, I'm sure, like pay too much credence to that. But it looked so difficult at times to play in that. It didn't look nice. I think also that brings up the fact that it was a record attendance on a Sunday evening when it was on telly in that weather.

I mean, whoever wanted to go, they were committed to going. So a fair play to them who ever went and stood in that rain for that long. But just in terms of the result, really significant for Arsenal, really significant in terms of keeping up the 100% record. Chelsea level on points with Arsenal and Manchester United having played a game extra, of course. But the club obviously had some tough news this week after it was announced Emma Hayes had undergone an emergency hysterectomy.

Both the women's and men's teams wore warm-up shirts saying, get well soon, Emma, which was a brilliant gesture from the club. But she's going to be such a massive miss on the sidelines for Chelsea, Robin. Oh, yeah, she's a real character on the sidelines for Chelsea, Robin. Oh, yeah. She's a real character on the sidelines. I mean, not just her sort of tactical nous, but her presence. She is such a presence. I mean, I think you've all probably seen that

when the BBC did the West Ham game at King's Meadow and Chelsea scored. And unfortunate cutaway to Emma Hayes and she let her feelings be known. And yeah, didn't have to be a lip reader to know what she was saying about that. But yeah, I think they're really pushing this line of, you know, they've got really cohesive coaching staff.

And I'm sure Denise Reddy might have had to have a lie down after all that, having Emma Hayes, I'm sure, in her ear for the whole game. So I guess she's there in spirit if not in body but I do wonder if it will it might affect them because she's kind of like it's like kind of the head the headmaster's gone and uh it's kind of doesn't focus the mind a little bit you know but as I say like Paul Green, Denise Reddy they're all there the whole time so I don't think in terms of like instruction it will it will make any impact on Chelsea. But I do wonder about just, you know, you look over to the bench

and she's not there. And I don't know, as I say, I don't know. I'm not a player. It's just really interesting to see what the impact might be, could be. What would you say the impact is, Anita? Well, firstly, I was thinking that reminds me of Vic Akers back in the day when he couldn't be at a game, you know, on the blower the whole game. So, you know, something Emma definitely would have picked up and, but ultimately, yeah,

I definitely think the impact is, it's just her presence as well. As you mentioned, the presence in the room, the players, you know, you feel that, you know it, you respect it. And sometimes she wouldn't have to maybe even communicate a single word and you know what's expected and and that's what she you know has an abundance in terms of her leadership and her character and obviously her personality so obviously the hope for them is that it doesn't impact them and they can go on the way they have been and performing well but ultimately there is something about your boss not being there that sometimes can make the

energy come down or even you know the quality of your work sometimes come down but you know those girls are ultimate professionals and they're winners and they are so motivated to try and hold on to the the league title so I'm sure they will if anything they'll use this as an opportunity to keep going to keep driving forward and performing at their best yeah Susie you were covering this one was there any lack of energy it was a 3-1 win in the end Peniela Harder and Niamh Charles on the score sheet but it wasn't an easy victory no it wasn't and like in a way it was um in that they won comfortably. But, like, each time I've watched Everton this season, I thought they look really good under Brian Sorensen and they look really well organised.

And there's just, like, much more coherence to what they're trying to do than there was last season. And, like, you saw the impact of that. You know, they had some decent moments against Chelsea. They stifled them quite a bit. It took the genius of Pernilla Harder to actually unlock them, and it wasn't an easy game, and I think Everton are going to be quite a tricky fixture

for most of the top sides but for all clubs this season i don't think that's a necessarily a walk in the park in the way it perhaps was last season on emma being missing i like just love the way she manages the team almost preps them for this moment right because she is so big on her players being able to decision make independently and on the pitch and involves them in the decision making processes and like you know discusses what they should do with them it's not her dictating from top it's them having a discussion on what they should do often then you know when you get a situation like this where your manager isn't

there obviously that's going to be impactful to some extent anyway but like they're not looking for to her for the answers necessarily because she's put them in an environment where they're empowered to be able to come up with solutions themselves on the pitch because she recognizes that she isn't physically on the pitch and something they have to be able to make those decisions in in moments of the game where you know her shout from the sideline isn't going to reach. What I would say is that I don't think Chelsea have hit their stride yet. I think in every game they've looked slightly vulnerable. And I just wonder with Emma not being there, that might affect things a little bit.

Because it's always traditional for Chelsea towards the second half of the season, they look unstoppable and teams really feared them. Whereas they do tend to start a little bit slow and build up. And actually, I don't think they're looking anywhere near their best yet. Although obviously they're still pulling out these results. Just a quick one on Khadija Buchanan, Anita, because her own goal almost got Everton back into it. What have you made of her first month or so at Chelsea? Because from my point of view, she just doesn't seem to be fitting in quite as well as we all expected her to.

Yeah, I think she's had a difficult start since she's been at Chelsea. It's not really fallen for her in the right way in the situations. You know, the first game that she played with the penalty situation where, you know, you see an experienced centre-back like that you're not expecting those kind of rash challenges in the box necessarily again with their own goal you know perhaps unfortunate but it just doesn't seem to be like she's found her flow yet she's not comfortable yet maybe she's still trying to find her feet in the system and the way that Chelsea are looking for her to play um so that's the challenge and I think what Robin said about them not looking like you know they're they really got going yet I think

that's probably part of it as well because they've had such a consistent back line you know in Magdalene Ericsson and obviously Millie Bright typically with additions in the fullback areas now they're trying to almost revert to how we used to play when I played at Chelsea with the three in the back with Khadija in the middle so Emma will want her to be the poor ball possessing centre back that can carry the ball and things like that and I think that is her strength but defensivelyly, at times, she has looked very vulnerable and her decision-making at times has been questionable. So, yeah, it'll be interesting to see how she is able to sort of get out

of that kind of funk, I would say. Yeah, funk. Good word. Chelsea like Arsenal off to France this week to play their Champions League opener. They're up against Paris Saint-Germain, which is obviously going to be a very interesting match-up. One team hoping to be doing that next season, Manchester United. They continued their unbeaten start to the season.

It was a comfortable 4-0 win over Brighton. Goals from El Attun, Leo Goulton and Adriana Leon. Anita, you were at this one. It felt like very much a walk in the park for United. Yeah, it was a dominant Man United performance. You know, they were really good. Free-flowing football, interchangeable movement. You know, Nikita Paris looked lively as well.

Their right side in Garcia, you know, was really impressive. It was good to see her play and see that link-up play. And obviously Toon was influential with Galton as well and getting on the score sheet and you can see that Man United have definitely added depth to the side they have more ways to to threaten the opposition and they're more adaptable and that's going to actually put them in good stead I think for trying to break into that top three obviously getting Millie Turner back in the centre-back position as well is massive for them this season.

So, yeah, it was a really comfortable win, I would say, for them in the end. Susie, you know, we talked just a second ago about Chelsea not quite hitting their stride. I know that you feel Arsenal aren't quite fully at it, but this Brighton side, there doesn't seem to be something quite right as well. Obviously been a really tough start to the season. They've got Chelsea up next, so they'll have played three of the last season's top four in their opening four matches. So you need to take that into account. But are you a little bit worried about them this season?

Yes and no. I think that is a big thing to take into account the fact that they are playing like some of the best sides in the league like i think hope said after the game that you know it was just the better team one they are just a better team and they are just a better team um you know the fact that you've got like it very overtly shown in one of Brighton's starlets from last season. Myla Tissier is now in the Man United back line. United have a pulling power that Brighton just don't, despite the fact that they've got these, you know,

incredible state of the officer leagues, possibly even the best in the league now in terms of like the type of environment that those players are working in. It's still not the pulling power of all those big teams so they'll find some rhythm for sure um and i think you know like once they've got these games out of the way they'll definitely start to improve and obviously when you lose games and lose them significantly like uh against man united that's going to be quite damaging to confidence and things like that. But then the games that come next should be easier.

That should have prepared you for a certain extent. You've played at such an intensity in those games that then when you go into the games against what should be more evenly matched or lesser opposition, in theory, you should be much, much better prepared for them than perhaps you were. I'm not overly worried about them. Like in terms of the teams that are going to struggle this season,

I don't think they're going to be one of those, potentially. I'm sitting on the fence again, aren't I? I need to get off the fence. Yeah, no, I agree with you. But equally, we do know what your predictions are like, Susie. So any Brighton fans out there listening to this, close your ears. Robin, this game kind of turned into the Ella Toon show, really, didn't it? Two goals and an assist in just 66 minutes. Is she the player? I mean, they have many, don't they now? But is she the player perhaps that's going to help make sure United do take that final step towards Champions League qualification? I think it's very much more of a they've got more depth now because I think too much was resting on Toon and Russo for last season, the previous season. So now they've got a lot more

strength and depth. I do think just going back to Brighton, the goals, the first two in particular, were very concerning. You know, Toon was completely free to head in. I don't think she even really needs to jump to win the header. And she's short. Yeah. You know, it's like, I mean, yeah, that's the thing. It's like letting me win a header. It's not quite that bad, but do you know what I mean?

I mean, you know, Brighton can be, you know, fair enough. You get beaten by a better team, but those sorts of things are quite worrying. But I agree with Susie, like, get the Chelsea the way and then we'll see we'll see what they can do but like yeah I'd be concerned about that but yeah United I just think too much as I say was resting on Ella Toon and I think she she felt the pressure a little bit last season I remember she missed a fair few chances and those kind of narrow margins meant they didn't quite make the top four. Obviously, she's had an incredible summer.

Her confidence will be sky high. She's obviously got better as a player. She's still young. But I think just having those other players around her will be the best thing for United. And I do think they're set up to really challenge this season. That's it for part one of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. In part two, ding ding, we'll discuss that punch up at the Poundland Bescott Stadium in Walsall.

Do you have business insurance? If not, how would you pay to recover from a cyber attack, fire damage, theft or a lawsuit? No business or profession is risk free. Without insurance, your assets are at risk from major financial losses, data breaches, and natural disasters. Get customized coverage today starting at $19 per month at zensurance.com. Be protected. Be Zen. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Now, now, Aston Villa at West Ham. It all kicked off in the Midlands, didn't it? West Ham going 2-0 up early on,

thanks to goals from Dagny Brinistortier and Hanaka Hayashi, with Ken Zadali pulling a goal back for Villa. But of course, all the headlines, Anita, went to Hauwa Sisoko, who received the most extraordinary slash ridiculous red card. Yeah, I mean, it was, you know, it was something that we haven't seen very often in the women's game. And it's the kind of behaviour that we don't really want to advocate either it seemed a strange thing to happen so late in the game as well didn't really make sense to me that she would have that sort of overreaction to what was I think a professional foul from Bailey and yeah of course it was probably annoying for her and frustrating but ultimately you know both

players should not have been pushing and shoving each other the way they did um and obviously the the red card was rightly awarded and I think Mei Ling was also probably lucky to stay on the pitch as well it didn't look good Robin did it at all no I mean I'd say what Anita was saying we don't see in the men's game really we see those pathetic sort of head butts that aren't even headbutts. I mean, this was, I mean, she took a swing at her like three times, didn't she? And that's just what makes me wonder if something else was going on either throughout the game or in the background, because it was really like, it was shocking, wasn't it, to watch?

It was just, you just don't see it in kind of really any sport unless it's a kind of, you know, UFC or boxing. It was just, it was just it was it was totally mad yeah and actually you know clearly Sissoko's behavior was completely unacceptable but as you said Anita Sarah Mayling more than played her part in this incident committing the foul for just the one thing whatever else happened but some of the online reaction to what happened has also been really concerning yeah I mean I haven't been across all of it but of course I think naturally it gets a reaction because it's so shocking and people aren't used to seeing that occur in the game in general but

again when things like this occur abuse seems to you know come along side it online and unfortunately you know the players are still having to deal with being subjected to things like that that play no part in the game and just the game itself and then it becomes like you know personal types of targets and things like that and you know that's that's a massive shame because ultimately West Ham won three points at the important part of their campaign this season and you know you just don't want anyone to really have to face online abuse but this we've been around talking about this for a long time so more does need to be done in protecting that space. West Ham manager Paul Konczewski had picked up a red card as well and there were a few rumours flying around as to what had actually happened but both clubs cleared that up after

the match that you know it wasn't the violent conduct that some had thought it thought it was but clearly just a something that we just don't want to see I'd like I don't care whether it's women's football men's football I. Just behave. Be professionals. You are professionals. There was also controversy on the Aston Villa side, though, Robin. Alicia Lehmann missing a penalty that Carla Ward then came out and said Rachel Daly was supposed to take. That kind of puts a bit of a dampener, the whole result, really,

on Villa's fantastic start to the season. It does. That's quite embarrassing, actually. Real miscommunication. dampener the whole result really on uh on Villa's fantastic start to the season it does that's a real um that's quite embarrassing actually real miscommunication we've seen it you know in the men's game haven't we and usually that what happens is the the uh the person who wants to take the penalty doesn't score we've seen it so many times um and I bet she's absolutely furious I mean it needs you know Carla obviously I mean mean, this seems like it wouldn't be something that wouldn't have been sort of talked about before and like who's going to take a penalty, would it?

I mean, this clearly was, I mean, could Lehman be in a bit of hot water with her manager here? Yeah, I imagine Lehman was, to be honest. I think Carla was, from what I heard, was quite animated on the side when that happened and she was expecting Rachel Daly to step up and take it and yeah you know at first I thought oh perhaps Rachel wasn't taking it because it's against a former club and maybe there's all that kind of you know the goalkeeper

knows where she's going to go that type of thing but then to see the reaction afterwards and obviously Carla was furious said it in a press response after, then, yeah, it's embarrassing and it's not what you want and you don't want players falling out over situations like that. And ultimately, it's part of a tactical plan. You know, it's a set piece, essentially. And so it would have been discussed. It would have been, you know, shared amongst the team as to who takes responsibility.

And, you know, that's put put probably layman in a bad position with her manager who's going to be like do I even trust you to enact the game plan when I when I need to because actually we've dropped three points and that could have changed the whole momentum perhaps of the game do you know what I'm quite surprised that Rachel Daly didn't put her foot down because she's not backward in coming forward is she and I'm surprised she didn't just kind of you know what? I'm quite surprised that Rachel Daly didn't put her foot down because she's not backward in coming forward, is she? And I'm surprised she didn't just kind of, you know, take it back off her and say, no, not my position. You're looking, I know what you're going to say, Robin, you're going to say, actually them wrestling over the ball? I mean, it just, I mean, it's really, I mean, it's awkward for Rachel Daly. I kind of feel for her because, like, how far is she going to go, you know, for. But I mean, I guess I don't know how things work, like, in the heat of the moment. But, like, could the coaching staff have done a bit more? Go, look, no, no, it's, give it to Rachel, give it to Rachel Daly now.

I mean, I don't know. But clearly there was a massive breakdown in communication. And yeah, although it would have been quite funny to see them going, no, it's my ball, it's my ball. That probably is even less of a good look than it already was. I was going to say, look, to that point, Robin, you know, fair dues to Rachel Daly

to just contain herself and not get to that point because I've actually played on a team where that's happened between teammates where we've got a penalty and they're fighting over it and everyone's standing there like what's going on and we're just baffled by it and embarrassed and you know similar thing occurred with the player miss so yeah it's uncomfortable for I think everyone. I think it goes back to the original point when we started talking about this game, really. Professionalism is key. You know, this league is professional.

This club is professional. Both clubs are professional. Let's all be professional. Manchester City, Leicester City. Finally, some points on the board for Man City, beating bottom of the table Leicester. Finished 4-0 in the end. Goals from Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Yui Hasegawa. Gareth Taylor finally shuffling his

pack, Robin. Steph Horton and Demi Stokes drop into the bench, Hasegawa coming into midfield, kind of maybe shows that finally he might have worked out exactly where his side's problems are? Possibly, yeah. I think credit to him for kind of shuffling the pack. But what I would say is that with all due respect to Leicester, I'm not sure we learn a huge amount about Manchester City in this game. You know, Leicester are obviously not going to survive on results against teams like Man City, no matter what their struggles are. So he probably felt that he could.

So it'll be really interesting to see in the coming games whether he restores his sort of, I don't know, the players that he, I don't want to say trusts, because I'm sure he trusts all of them, but just whether what, if he is going to kind of revert back to the sort of experience of Steph Horton and things like that. So, yeah, I mean, obviously a really important win for City. They were under a lot of pressure in this one, but I do think Leicester are going to struggle this season.

I actually think in their previous games, they've been much more obdurate and actually quite impressive defensively. Really unlucky against Everton. They had that last minute free kick, which went in. But as I say, you know, it's the teams around them where it's going to decide whether or not they stay up this season. Yeah, it's not the kind of game, Anita, is it, that's going to define their season? No, absolutely not. I think for Leicester, that's a game they would have looked at

early on in the season and gone, that's a free hit. It's just an opportunity to try to work on things that they feel they need to progress to to be competitive and and improve those areas but of course Man City seek that as an opportunity to get three points on the board and build on confidence and momentum and figure out the different kind of connections and relationships that perhaps work in the side and don't work. And so that was an opportunity for them to do that. You know, not having Steph in the game, bring some younger players in, get them played in as well, because we know it's a long season. And if you're trying to compete in all competitions,

it's important that they get that exposure throughout the squad. Yeah, it really is. Just more uh game from the weekend one nil win for Tottenham over Liverpool um it did look at one point i.e the first game of the season Robin that they were going to have a wonderful time back in the in the WSL but those results against Everton and Tottenham have kind of perhaps brought them down to earth with a bump a little bit yeah um obviously that opening game against Chelsea was kind of just a fairy tale for them um I think they've got a really really good record at Prenton Park so it will be those home games that they'll be targeting to to kind of cause those upsets

they've got a really good home record there. I mean, Tottenham, they're just a little bit further on than Liverpool, aren't they? They've really built quite slowly, but surely. And now they've added real quality to their team. I think Bizet looks very good. Obviously, Drew Spence is a really good addition as well, as she went close to getting a second. I think, obviously, Spurs could have won this by quite a lot more. So yeah, I think, you know, Liverpool will be delighted they've got,

you know, those points on the board already. But I think it will be more the sort of home games again, sort of against the teams sort of around them, you know, Leicester, maybe West Ham, maybe Aston Villa, although those aren't going to be easy games. But yeah, they can't let these sort of couple of results get them down. Yeah, and Anita, Robin mentioned Bizet there. She started for the first time along with Nikola Karczewska. Rhian Skinner starting her two big summer signings for the first time.

Do you think that we're finally going to see a bit more of an attacking mindset from this Tottenham side once now they've solidified a bit? Absolutely. I think Rhian Skinner has built a side that is very disciplined and organised. And I think they understand their out of possession responsibilities really well. And what they've always kind of missed is that kind of creativity in those midfield areas to garner more attacks and I think we saw that in that game that you know those players are forward thinking they're positive they want to find those forward passes and connect with that the forward line and that makes a difference when you're playing teams like Liverpool where you just don't allow them to get to their strengths and to their quality.

And they're always having to worry about defending. But, you know, credit to Liverpool, too, because, of course, it's important to start to their season to get points on the board. Yes, these aren't necessarily the teams where you're always going to win. And, you know, as Robin said, they're going to be looking teams around them to pick up points. But still, they got defeated by one goal. They're not shipping in tons and tons of goals either. So they definitely have something to build on as the season goes on. Yeah. Did you see Gilly Flaherty's tweet that she put out about many of the Liverpool fans sending her abuse on social media and how it

made her feel. I just, you know, going back to social media, I feel as if we end up having to mention it every show we do in the end at the moment, because people seem to be wanting to direct their anger towards players and it's just unnecessary it's disappointing and it's frustrating um you know i'm a liverpool fan so you know i'm sort of disgusted that if our fans would do that as well and you know if you you're a true supporter and a fan of football no matter what you stick with your team and you stick with your players and you support them through the the highs and the lows and the difficult results you don't direct whatever's going on in your life or whatever your anger towards others and it's not really fair for these players to have to deal with that kind of level of targeted abuse. But it's unfortunate that, you know,

now the women's game has that kind of level of attention and accessibility and scrutiny. And unfortunately those, you know, the slippery few that get through with their abuse are able to target that players. Just in case you were wondering where Susie Rackard disappeared to she had to go on a little errand but she's back now she is professional returns to the pod Tottenham

Liverpool Susie anything to say good win for Tottenham um like the second half utterly pegged back right like so many chances in the first half so dominant in that first half and then like real sort of wasted opportunities and I in the second half as Liverpool sort of came back into it you really really thought they were going to be punished for their like for efficacy in the first half and then they were they just like defended for their lives so like a real good three points for them especially against Liverpool team that you know beat Chelsea at the start of the season look quite good under Matt Beard um and well organized uh yeah like I think Spurs needed that win um you know the start of the season hasn't been particularly smooth um I think they sort of really really need to find a little bit of consistency to their performances and that was

not a very consistent performance in terms of first half second half but that they clung on is something that they can take away from that game see such a pro comes in uses long words unbelievable that's the kind of professionalism we want to see from Villa and West Ham before we finish up Anita we want to hear a little bit more about how your new job is going. Because if anybody was under a rock and not listening over the summer, Anita joined Bristol City as a coach back in July. What a start to the season as well. Top of the league. Four wins from five. The only team unbeaten. How's it going? Flying start. Couldn't be happier. It's always nice to come in and not be like the

bad omen and everything goes to pop so you know that's positive um but no I'm really enjoying the experience a really good group of players um you know our staff work well together and um you know the main thing for me actually is I come home with headaches every day because there's so much thinking involved as a coach. And I think, you know, you kind of take it for granted as a player. You show up, everything's set up. You know, you're more or less about taking care of your body. How do I feel today? I'm going to go rest after training. But as a coach, constantly, you know, working on session plans, you're trying to think about the outcomes for the players, what they get out of it and making the environment, you know,

as good as it can be so that they can perform at their best. So, but I'm really, yeah, I'm learning a lot and it's a great challenge. We on Women's Football Weekly listen to you, wonderful, wonderful listeners. And we will make sure that we mention something going on in the Championship every show that we have from now on. It's something that me and Susie really want to do and all the team at the Guardian, so we will be. So, Anita, for anyone who doesn't pay any attention

to the Championship or watch any of the football, what's it like as a league? Yeah, it's a really competitive league. I think a number of teams have strengthened. They've become professional and getting their players to train full time, which has made it more competitive. There's three or four teams at least that we're competing with in the top that we're trying to push aside to try and reach our ambitions.

But definitely, I think you get that kind of almost a close atmosphere as well with the fans it reminds me of my early days when i played at arsenal and things like that so it's a really good feel as well the atmosphere um and of course we've got teams from up and down the country you know you've got sheffield United, Durham, teams that aren't necessarily associated with with big Premier League clubs so you've got that kind of local feel for a number of teams in the league so yeah I would urge people to get out there and support their teams and and you know you'll definitely watch some really good football as well. What is the sort of ratio of like full time to part time although I know that's sort of relative sometimes, isn't it, in the championship? I would say I think it's at least four or five clubs now that are full time.

And ourselves, London City, Crystal Palace, Charlton. And then there's a couple, you know, more semi-pro, but they kind of work in that model so that they can get their players in you know for double sessions and things like that around education but of course we have a number of younger players mostly in their early 20s who are studying so it's really good that we can like be flexible and support them as well off pitch as much as possible and that's worked quite well so far. And actually you can see that from the table in terms of the professionalism. You guys are top, London City, second, Charlton

and then Crystal Palace. But some of the teams in this league, you've got Southampton who were promoted last season, Sheffield United, Birmingham City, obviously relegated from the WSL last season, Durham, Lewis, Sunderland, Blackburn and then Coventry, who are yet to score yet this season and have quite a few problems off the field. It is a fascinating league, that's for sure. Also, further down the pyramid, I just want to give a big shout out to Nottingham Forest in the FA Women's National League North.

A record 5,082 at the city ground for their 3-1 Derby win over Derby County, which is absolutely incredible. Right, that's everything from us this week. Susie, I presume that you're heading to France or putting on a beret or something for all the Champions League stages getting underway? Oh, yes. Off to Lyon and then train to Paris and catching both both the Lyon-Arsenal and PSG-Chelsea games, which should be a good one. Although a little bit of a manic turnaround, but what a problem to have. Oh, yeah. And yeah, just be definitely watching all the Champions League stuff

this week. Very jealous of Susie though. I love the French diet. It's very bready, isn't it? A lot of pan au chocolat, baguette. It's right up my street. I love it.

So yeah, enjoy Susie. Be very, very jealous. Any exciting plans for the week ahead, Anita? Or just plotting Bristol City's return to the WSL? Basically that face spot on yeah just got getting all the girls back obviously got a number of the internationals back as well so getting the group together and preparing for

the week ahead for our next fixture. Love it very Very good luck. We shall speak to you soon. We will be back next Tuesday to round up everything from the weekend's WSL action. The Guardian Women's Football Weekly is produced by Lucy Oliver and Jessie Parker-Humphrey. Music composition was by Laura Iredale.

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