Liverpool

3 February 2012

ROBBIE ON 2012

Manager Robbie Johnson gives us his thoughts on the season ahead

With only six weeks to go until we’re back in competitive action, the preparations and training are intensifying at Liverpool Ladies.

The squad are now back after the break and into the swing of pre-season training. On the whole, the players have kept fit but the return to full on training can still provide a bit of a shock to the system.

We’ve lined up some pre-season friendlies with three of Scotland’s best teams, including title winners Glasgow City. I know the players are hugely excited to get back to playing matches and it’ll give me and the rest of the coaching staff a chance to really assess where we’re at and get ourselves ready for the start of the season.

Our second WSL campaign begins in April, with our opening game against Lincoln City. Yet, our first competitive game actually takes place on the second weekend in March with the Women’s FA Cup 6th round.

We’re working hard so we can get our 2012 off to a great start. Our 2011 league position was disappointing and of course, we want to improve on it this year. Combine that with a good cup run and some strong team performances, and it’ll be a successful season.

We’ve been very active behind the scenes during the transfer window, we know the areas we need to strengthen in the squad and we’ve identified our target players. We’re in advanced talks with a number of potential signings and we may well be in a position to make some announcements over the next couple of weeks.

It’s set to be a great year for women’s football – we’ve got the second season of the WSL and the Olympics in London. More females play football in this country than any other sport and so there’s a big, ready-made audience. It’s a great opportunity for the women’s game to show the country how entertaining, skilled and improved it is and it’d be the icing on the cake if any of the Liverpool team takes part.

I was sorry to hear of the cancellation of the 2012 Women’s Professional Soccer league season in the US. It must be a real disappointment to the millions of fans that women’s football has in America, and not least to the players and playing staff. With the growing profile and reputation that the WSL has here and abroad, I wouldn’t be surprised of some of the WPS players end up at English clubs – who knows, we might even see a star or two in a Liverpool Ladies shirt!

It looks set to be an exciting year for Liverpool Ladies and we’re looking forward to welcoming as many fans as possible to Skelmersdale throughout the season, cheering us on to winning ways.

 

 

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