Birmingham City Women: One out, coach in and a unique step taken
Top-of-the-table Birmingham City Women continue their quest to return to the Super League with a trip to basement side Portsmouth this weekend.
Amy Merricks’ Blues have taken 20 points from their opening 10 games and lead the way from Bristol City on goal difference. Portsmouth are winless thus far and have conceded a whopping 28 goals.
In contrast, Blues have the best defensive record in the second tier having conceded just five goals and kept six clean sheets. If Blues are to finally return to the top flight, there is no doubt as to what the foundation for their success will have been.
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“We pride ourselves on being hard to beat,” says head coach Merricks. “The defensive unit has been outstanding and the goalkeepers as well and now it’s about making sure we continue to dominate the game when we don’t have the ball, and being hard to break down and relentless with our pressure.”
A dugout debut
New assistant boss Jay Bradford will make her dugout debut on the south coast on Sunday (2pm kick-off). Bradford has joined Merricks' staff after leaving Rangers where she worked as number two to ex-Blues player and coach Jo Potter.
Bradford is aiming to build on Blues’ strong start to the season and help the club realise its ambition of a Super League return.
"The key is the group,” she said. “Football is one thing on the pitch, but that togetherness and willingness to work for each other and the badge takes you beyond that.
"They need to stick together in the difficult moments because it won't be easy. If we're on the same page and working hard, we will get our rewards."
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Wilson joins rivals on loan
Blues have opted to loan forward Siobhan Wilson to Championship rivals Southampton until the end of the season. ‘Shiv’ missed a large chunk of last season due to a serious knee injury and has only played three games under Merricks this campaign.
The former Charlton and Crystal Palace player has joined a Saints side that are five points below Blues in the table at the halfway stage. Wilson’s contract at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park is due to expire in the summer.
Drinks trial a unique step
It was recently announced that Blues are one of the clubs in the Women’s Championship who will be involved in a trial which allows supporters to consume alcohol whilst in their seats.
The league doesn’t fall under the umbrella of the Football Association and has introduced the trial in the second tier to see whether it drums up additional support. As things stand, supporters of Women’s Super League teams and teams in the top four tiers of men’s football can’t consume alcohol whilst in view of the pitch.
If the trial is successful it could be rolled out at Women’s Super League matches but the likelihood of it being replicated at men’s matches is small. Next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash against Bristol City at St Andrew’s (Sunday, January 26) is set to be the first game of the trial.
