Casey and Jess look forward to Robins clash

On Sunday, the Reds make the journey to Twerton Park to take on bottom side Bristol City in our penultimate game of the Women's Super League season.

United Women can still qualify for next season's Champions League but would require Arsenal to drop points if our European dream is to become reality, as the Gunners are three points ahead and have superior goal difference with only two matches remaining. 

The Reds go into Sunday's battle with the Robins full of confidence on the back of a 4-1 triumph against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. 

"I thought we were really good," Casey said to MUTV about our previous match. 

"It's the most confident, assured and relaxed performance I've seen us put in in a long time." 

Ahead of our final WSL away match of this term, our manager was nominated for the Barclays Manager of the Year award but it was clear she did not want to take any credit for the nomination. 

"I'm proud of the team," she said. 

"I'm surprised, if I'm honest, by the nomination because personally I'd like to have done better this year in terms of our league position. But I'm proud of the team, the staff, the players. They're the ones that put the work in, day in, day out." 

Casey will hope her side can put on a similar display this weekend as the last, as we look to overcome Sunday's hosts for the second time this campaign.

Back in December, the Reds fired six past the Robins.at Leigh Sports Village with goals from Millie Turner and Jess Sigsworth, plus braces from Leah Galton and Tobin Heath, that sealed a 6-1 win.

"We identified last time where we could exploit them and we'll do the same this weekend," the United Women boss said ahead of our upcoming reverse fixture. 

"I think they are an improved side. They got a lot more threat going forward now that Matt Beard's involved, he's changed the system slightly. But we still know that we got players capable of hurting them.

"We need to make sure we take care of Ebony Salmon, she's scored against us twice, so it's important we do that. It's a game we're looking forward to."

One of those who got on the scoresheet both against Spurs and in our last fixture against the Robins was attacker Jess Sigsworth.

"Games where we are fighting for points at the top and Bristol are fighting for points at the bottom are always really hard games," our no.9 analysed. 

"Even though they are rooted to the bottom of the table, we are not taking anything for granted. We need to be at our best and I think it's going to be a tough game."

With only a couple of league games remaining, our dangerous forward was asked to summarise what has been a very hectic and special campaign. 

"It's been a very different season in terms of Covid, having protocols to follow," she emphasised. 

"A very tough hseason physically but also mentally and emotionally. It's not been an easy ride but last week we got back to our best, so we just want to finish strong now."  

Sunday's kick-off against Bristol City is at 14:00 BST.