Skinner: We want to be clinical in the cup
Manchester United Women are back in Continental Cup action this Thursday evening when we face Leicester City at Leigh Sports Village.
Ahead of our third outing in this season’s competition, Reds boss Marc Skinner held his pre-match press conference.
There was nothing fresh to report on the injuries front, with both Irene Guerrero and Hinata Miyazawa still expected to be out until after the Christmas break.
From thoughts on tomorrow’s opponents to our Adobe Women’s FA Cup draw, here are the key points from Marc’s media briefing…
There was nothing fresh to report on the injuries front, with both Irene Guerrero and Hinata Miyazawa still expected to be out until after the Christmas break.
From thoughts on tomorrow’s opponents to our Adobe Women’s FA Cup draw, here are the key points from Marc’s media briefing…
Press conference: United Women v Leicester Video
Press conference: United Women v Leicester
Press conference | Marc Skinner previews our home Conti Cup clash and reacts to our FA Cup draw...
LEICESTER WILL GIVE US A TOUGH GAME
“I’ve been really impressed with the way they’re playing. I know what to expect and the team know what to expect. We’ve had a quick turnaround from the [Tottenham Hotspur] game, as Leicester have as well, so you’ve got to get back into rhythm. I expect it to be a tough game; we’re at home which I want us to maximise and use that advantage. We’ve got to go into the game looking to win and of course we want to progress in the group, we’ve got the toughest group so for us to progress in it will be excellent as well. We’ve got to be clinical tomorrow.”
“I’ve been really impressed with the way they’re playing. I know what to expect and the team know what to expect. We’ve had a quick turnaround from the [Tottenham Hotspur] game, as Leicester have as well, so you’ve got to get back into rhythm. I expect it to be a tough game; we’re at home which I want us to maximise and use that advantage. We’ve got to go into the game looking to win and of course we want to progress in the group, we’ve got the toughest group so for us to progress in it will be excellent as well. We’ve got to be clinical tomorrow.”
MARY EARPS' FUTURE
“The reality is, of course I want Mary to stay. I’ve been very clear on that throughout. I deal with the football side so the club are working with Mary to try and look at what that deal looks like. I play Mary because of how good she is for us, does the job we exactly want her to do and excels in it. I couldn’t be any more clear that I want Mary to stay at the club, she is a huge part of what I want to build here.”
MELVINE MALARD'S LOAN DEAL
“We want to make sure a player fits with not only the team but fits well within the country. I think it’s really important for Mel to settle and she’s settled brilliantly, you can see her wonderful character. Right now she is performing excellently and a great member of what we’re trying to do and adds a lot of quality at a great age. I’m sure we’ll be looking into what that looks like [beyond the loan deal]. The way that she is performing, I’d hope that we would look to extend her beyond this current loan deal.”
“The reality is, of course I want Mary to stay. I’ve been very clear on that throughout. I deal with the football side so the club are working with Mary to try and look at what that deal looks like. I play Mary because of how good she is for us, does the job we exactly want her to do and excels in it. I couldn’t be any more clear that I want Mary to stay at the club, she is a huge part of what I want to build here.”
MELVINE MALARD'S LOAN DEAL
“We want to make sure a player fits with not only the team but fits well within the country. I think it’s really important for Mel to settle and she’s settled brilliantly, you can see her wonderful character. Right now she is performing excellently and a great member of what we’re trying to do and adds a lot of quality at a great age. I’m sure we’ll be looking into what that looks like [beyond the loan deal]. The way that she is performing, I’d hope that we would look to extend her beyond this current loan deal.”
PHALLON TULLIS-JOYCE'S QUALITIES
“If you look at the key characteristics of the NWSL (in the United States) versus the WSL, the WSL favours possession more. We’re a team that has more possession than most of the opponents that we play against, so with the ball, Phallon is having to adapt to short passes, medium, and obviously longer range to make sure we mix up the opponent. I’ve never seen a goalkeeper make the saves that she makes. She’s so athletic, but I think it’s just making sure she can make those in big moments. She’s an astute learner, she takes a note pad everywhere she goes. After this season, once she’s had these kind of games, I think you’re going to see a world class-goalkeeper. She’s got all of the qualities she needs.”
“If you look at the key characteristics of the NWSL (in the United States) versus the WSL, the WSL favours possession more. We’re a team that has more possession than most of the opponents that we play against, so with the ball, Phallon is having to adapt to short passes, medium, and obviously longer range to make sure we mix up the opponent. I’ve never seen a goalkeeper make the saves that she makes. She’s so athletic, but I think it’s just making sure she can make those in big moments. She’s an astute learner, she takes a note pad everywhere she goes. After this season, once she’s had these kind of games, I think you’re going to see a world class-goalkeeper. She’s got all of the qualities she needs.”
FA CUP DRAW V NEWCASTLE
“I think it’ll be a great game. Newcastle have got a very passionate fanbase and they’re clearly trying to build something up. I’m sure they will be in WSL football within the next few years. They’re trying to build a project that I’m sure they find really exciting, so I think it’ll be an exciting game, our fans will be clearly up for that as well. We progressed to the final last year so we’d love another run and try to get back there. We’ll approach it as we approach every other game. We’ll review them, we’ll watch them, and it will be a big game. They’ll come and make a real game of it, so we’ve got to be at our very best.”
“I think it’ll be a great game. Newcastle have got a very passionate fanbase and they’re clearly trying to build something up. I’m sure they will be in WSL football within the next few years. They’re trying to build a project that I’m sure they find really exciting, so I think it’ll be an exciting game, our fans will be clearly up for that as well. We progressed to the final last year so we’d love another run and try to get back there. We’ll approach it as we approach every other game. We’ll review them, we’ll watch them, and it will be a big game. They’ll come and make a real game of it, so we’ve got to be at our very best.”
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