Women's Team - 2021/22

[Bigga]

Don't agree with all of that but it sounds like we agree on more than I thought from your first post!

I definitely think the two in front of Walsh make a big difference, playing deep she's always going to be the most conservative of the three and if the two in front aren't doing much she's only going to look less progressive. To that end, the Walsh-Weir-Mewis three was far better last season than any of the combinations we saw this season, and that must have some effect on what Walsh does.

We agree, entirely, on the midfield trio as it was factual. However Mewis did a hell of a lot of the donkey work as Weir didn't do her part in the mid, for me. It looked good, but it was lopsided, but afforded Weir space to be 'better', which says a lot about her game this season.

I think Walsh doesn't trust who's in front of her with tight balls into space, which she's very capable of, so she opts for safety more often than not.

I'm hoping Blackstad and Losada are her new partners and I'm hoping they allow Walsh to trust more and be more dynamic.

 

[kev20971]

I’m gutted to see Georgia Stanway leave. My favourite player.

Her and Keira Walsh are mine with Ellie Roebuck and Esme Morgan too.

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

It'll be interesting to see if this is addressed by any of those who do go, there's been enough rumour about it and it wouldn't be a huge surprise, but it's been hearsay so far far as I can tell. It'd definitely be harder to explain away Walsh leaving the way it might be for those whose contracts are expiring.


The problem is it's not just one issue though, is it? Taylor hasn't inspired much confidence but even before he came in we fell short a few times and the club didn't seem in a hurry to change things. Cushing was a good coach but he was never at the level of Hayes, management just seem to be happy with stability and a challenge rather than really pushing on like the top sides.

Then there's the recruitment, we're good at bringing through young players, sure, but we've fallen behind Chelsea and Arsenal because they sign top players and integrate them well (Miedema for Arsenal, Kerr/Harder for Chelsea) and our big signings (maybe Mewis excepted?) just don't seem to get going, so we're left relying on younger players to come through and make the difference. That sort of strategy only really works if you're signing your key players to long-term contracts and iterating season after season, but we stick with 2/3 year deals and keep making the same sort of signings.

Really hope we can get it right but not at all convinced we have enough in place on the women's side to evolve the waves then we would on the men's.

What is going on? If its wages then why aren't other teams losing players. I thought Stanway was a real driving force in midfield and sad to lose her. I enjoy watching Bronze play and at times she adds another dimension when attacking. Weir scores great goals but has her faults in she often does not move the ball quick enough but sad if she goes. Walsh seems one of those players you miss when she's not there. And Shaw who is just finding her feet is also wanted by others.
Is it the manager or is it the club?
If there is an exodus and even with players coming in then rebuilding takes time and the Rags and Spurs are improving.
Hemp is the Crown Jewel and hopefully we can keep her.
Personally I'd be getting rid of White who has had a poor season in my view and "pass it square and ever so slowly when under no pressure whatsoever and repeat, Kennedy"

 

[bluealf]

Her and Keira Walsh are mine with Ellie Roebuck and Esme Morgan too.

Stanway, Hemp, and I'm hoping Park is going to step up and become one of them.

 

[Bigga]

Stanway, Hemp, and I'm hoping Park is going to step up and become one of them.

Very big fan of Park. Was from the very off.

Also like the look of Ruby Mace.

Lots of potential about her at the back.

 

[kev20971]

Very big fan of Park. Was from the very off.

Also like the look of Ruby Mace.

Lots of potential about her at the back.

Was it the Chelsea away game that I thought Ruby Mace was outstanding then next game she was on the bench ?
Park bit it or miss at the moment but still only breaking into the team and will get more consistent I think.
Also thought Esme Morgan was starting to look a great player at the back , that season at Everton seemed too mature her and now looks one of our stars of the future.

 

[Bigga]

Was it the Chelsea away game that I thought Ruby Mace was outstanding then next game she was on the bench ?
Park bit it or miss at the moment but still only breaking into the team and will get more consistent I think.
Also thought Esme Morgan was starting to look a great player at the back , that season at Everton seemed too mature her and now looks one of our stars of the future.

Yeah, I have NO idea why Mace was benched. Maybe for the experienced players that came back from injury?

Can't say it was a mistake from the season's ending. Still super bizarre decision making.

Park, yes is still finding her feet, but she'll come good. Hard to challenge Kelly for that position.

Taylor has to balance the playing time of these young stars better, next season, or they'll be off.

 

[better dead than red]

So is the mini-exodus a wage issue? Sorry, I don't follow the WSL that closely.

If Chloe Kelly would ever answer my telephone calls I'll ask her for you.

 

[better dead than red]

Taylor hinted that they only want those players who believe in what we are doing. I think this is the main issue. Could it be that quite a few of the top players do not believe in Taylor or his style of play and want to get out before the club implodes. If City had relieved Taylor of his duties much earlier ( ie sacked him) we would not now be in the position that we will loose some very good players and be left with what Taylor brought in.. poor substitutes for skill and tenacity.
It hurts to keep on about this abject Manager but the truth is hard to accept some (most) times.

Alex Greenwood and Chloe Kelly are both skilled and tenacious. Bronze 2.0 not as good as she was before she left but still not a bad player. Losada is skilled. I can't say Taylor was the one making the decisions on these women but you definitely aren't giving the ones above enough credit.

And for the record, Taylor couldn't get laid in a whore house with a wallet full of £100 notes he is so clueless.

 

[better dead than red]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...elly-play-cage-paid-Manchester-City-move.html

Just saw this story and thought it was quite interesting.

 

[JRockBlues]

Jill Scott confirmed to be leaving. No surprise really.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Sincerely hope that we have plans in hand to cover these player moves, and that Taylor is on board with the incoming signings.

His management isn't inspiring imo whilst some of his decisions regarding player use are definitely at best strange, or at worst personal / blinkered with regards to individuals. Never understood why Rose Lavelle played so few games in her time with us.

If it is not an issue with Taylor , the salary cap seems to be hitting us hard, whilst other clubs don't appear to be affected.

Chelsea signed expensive players in Kerr and Harder seemingly without having to lose any of their other players , so without any knowledge of the workings of the salary cap, it appears that we don't have the same funds available.

Not sure where we sit regarding salaries paid in comparison to other womens teams, but it appears that we cant/wont go for the bigger talents .

 

[HelloCity]

For what it’s worth, it’s pretty obvious it’s not a happy camp. Don’t think the women are impressed with Chelsea winning everything and us not taking big enough steps to try and challenge them. Can’t help but get the feeling Taylor isn’t too popular either.

 

[better dead than red]

For what it’s worth, it’s pretty obvious it’s not a happy camp. Don’t think the women are impressed with Chelsea winning everything and us not taking big enough steps to try and challenge them. Can’t help but get the feeling Taylor isn’t too popular either.

They could attempt to "overthrow" him. It is my understanding the Jill Ellis left as coach of the USWNT because the players didn't much like her and finally had enough of her and to a good extent forced her out.

 

[Laertes]

They could attempt to "overthrow" him. It is my understanding the Jill Ellis left as coach of the USWNT because the players didn't much like her and finally had enough of her and to a good extent forced her out.

Easier done at a national team where you can't sell the players than at a club though, the short contracts don't help either. The players have less leverage to do something like that even if they want to.

 

[cleavers]

Easier done at a national team where you can't sell the players than at a club though, the short contracts don't help either. The players have less leverage to do something like that even if they want to.

I don't think they have less leverage, in fact probably more due to the short contracts, they can run them down and find a new club, most of our players would go to the elite teams in europe anyway.

Whether the issue is Taylor or not, Scott going is hardly a surprise given her age, Stanway going was. The WSL having a salary cap is definitely an issue if other countries don't, it's little wonder we don't win the CL from England, even Chelsea can't compete there.

 

[nmc]

I don't think they have less leverage, in fact probably more due to the short contracts, they can run them down and find a new club, most of our players would go to the elite teams in europe anyway.

Whether the issue is Taylor or not, Scott going is hardly a surprise given her age, Stanway going was. The WSL having a salary cap is definitely an issue if other countries don't, it's little wonder we don't win the CL from England, even Chelsea can't compete there.

As has been discussed previously the FA is a big part of the problem, they want control but do little to promote the women’s game. For the WSL to push on they probably need to break away or at least get a better relationship with their regulatory body - at least get some distance from the FA which is stifling rather than promoting. It’s probably a legal breach for the FA to impose a salary cap in the womens game and not in the mens - although it’s unlikely to be challenged in the Courts.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Mate, I can't see that being the issue.

The men fill in to the best f their abilities and as long as a player plays to the best of their ability, what's the issue?

Non City fan, Zinny could have walked ages ago, based on that theory.

I can see yer point, Bigga, but Zinky wasn't our top scorer. Georgia was, and I should imagine that if yer banging in goals and that's a great motivator to bang in a few more, experimenting at full back is just one step away from playing her in goal. I shall see what Bayern do with her, and where they play her. I don't expect her to start a game at full back. Beckie was also shoved in as a make shift full back. It doesn't do much to develop their game. I'd really like to hear why Georgia called it a day!

 

[Laertes]

I don't think they have less leverage, in fact probably more due to the short contracts, they can run them down and find a new club, most of our players would go to the elite teams in europe anyway.

If the club would rather lose the manager than the players then you've got a point, a short contract puts a very real deadline on the horizon and that's great leverage to force a decision. But if that's less clear, say with a club that rates the manager or just doesn't want to rock the boat, and the players are trying to force the issue, then having a short contract just makes it cheaper/easier for the club to shift them or just let them leave. Whereas a long contract leaves the club with the prospect of unhappy players on strike or refusing to play for the manager for a decent spell of time (or whatever the exact tactic would be).

 

[blue whippet]

Sincerely hope that we have plans in hand to cover these player moves, and that Taylor is on board with the incoming signings.

His management isn't inspiring imo whilst some of his decisions regarding player use are definitely at best strange, or at worst personal / blinkered with regards to individuals. Never understood why Rose Lavelle played so few games in her time with us.

If it is not an issue with Taylor , the salary cap seems to be hitting us hard, whilst other clubs don't appear to be affected.

Chelsea signed expensive players in Kerr and Harder seemingly without having to lose any of their other players , so without any knowledge of the workings of the salary cap, it appears that we don't have the same funds available.

Not sure where we sit regarding salaries paid in comparison to other womens teams, but it appears that we cant/wont go for the bigger talents .

Agree with your comments about Taylor. During games he is frequently stood by the side of the pitch with his arms folded, you don't often see him shouting instructions or directing play. There were a few games during the season whereby Mahon was doing a lot of this and Taylor remained like a cardboard cut out, just stood there. He is always calm and pleasant enough in interviews but for me he doesn't really seem vested in the team. I maybe being unkind but with so many rumours about players leaving something does not seem right.