Skinner: We are a team looking to inspire the next generation
Manchester United Women head coach Marc Skinner has spoken of the energy that both he and his team have ahead of our Barclays Women's Super League fixture against West Ham at Old Trafford later today.
In advance of the 17:30 GMT kick-off, Skinner sat down with club media to conduct his exclusive pre-match interview.
Marc waxed lyrical about the occasion that Old Trafford brings, and what he expects from our players in the big game at our iconic stadium.
He also urged Reds supporters to come out in their thousands to cheer on our women's side, discussed how his team is full of role models, and more.
Below, you can read everything he had to say...
Matchday Q&A | Skinner on West Ham (H)
Marc Skinner sits down for an exclusive interview to preview United Women's return to Old Trafford...
"Really good. For us to make a semi-final of the FA Cup is wonderful. We obviously would like to go further and we have to put all of our energy into doing that. I'm sure the mood will be high."
You put a lot of effort into every competition. Is this an extra boost for the team now, the whole squad, that they come in this week with?
"Yeah I think so. I think it will be [a boost]. We are going to try and beat Brighton as best we can. That will be a difficult game. It's a favourable draw for us in terms of being at home because Lewes was big journey away which our fans made and they were magnificent by the way. We aspire to be successful here, and success is winning cups, winning trophies, so we are still two stages away from that. Two difficult challenges."
"[There has been a] slight adaptation - we are training three times going into the West Ham game this week. So I just expect us to be full of energy, going into Old Trafford is always going to be a great experience for us as well. We know how difficult all the fixtures coming up [will be]. So I think we're preparing for that psychologically and just making sure we go into each game with as much focus as possible."
Now being back at the Theatre of Dreams - it always seems like there's a special buzz when that happens. Are you looking forward to it personally?
"I just adore the title 'Theatre of Dreams.' I adore it, it's something that always sticks in my memory as a child growing up. So for me, it's a place where you can put your performance out and that's something that we'll be looking to do on Saturday."
"Absolutely. Look, I promise if you turn up to Old Trafford and come to watch us on Saturday you won't go away disappointed from what our players give, the energy. The true Manchester United spirit that we have so I'd urge everybody if you haven't got your tickets yet, make sure that you come and get your tickets because we want to make sure that this is [a fortress]. Leigh is a fortress for us, we want to make sure that Old Trafford continues to be a fortress for us too."
That will be a competitive game against West Ham. What are you making of them going into this game?
"I think results-wise they have had a few where they would have not been happy, but performance-wise I think they're in a really good space. Paul [Konchesky] has taken over from Olli [Harder] last year and he's given them real energy. Paul as a player was full of that energy and I think his team transpires that onto the pitch as well. It will be a difficult game. We are not expecting anything from anyone, now until the end of the season, being an easy game, so we have to prepare properly. We have to give it our energy, and I think what I'm going to ask of the girls is: 'No matter what West Ham bring, all the qualities that they have, we have to raise our game and we have to put our game higher and we have to believe in ourselves.' If we do that, we perform better and that's what are going to be my expectations of us for this weekend."
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West Ham haven't had a good run of games in the WSL most recently. Does that give you more confidence going into this?
"We have confidence regardless. I think you grow confidence from your performances. That's what we are here to do. We are here to perform at the very best of our ability, show our qualities and so regardless of what West Ham have had or not had, we have to treat them like the competitors that they are, the quality team that they are and we have to go in and give our all. If we do that, we will always put ourselves in the best opportunity of getting the best performance and result, and that's what we're going to do."
There are so many role models in this team, and going into a game like this at the Theatre of Dreams there's always some young teams around - boys and girls that will be watching - and we really need to put on a good show for them don't we?
"We try our very best every day. I think you're quite right in saying that there are many, many role models in this team. Some are unsung heroes as well. They go throughout the games and they give absolutely everything and they might not score, might not assist, but they give absolutely everything for the team. Those people will help us to gain success in the future. That's what we're building towards. They are very inspirational for everybody. Boys, girls, [it] doesn't really matter. We are a team that we are looking to inspire the next generation and we are duty-bound to give our very best in every game in order to do that."