Skinner: We're at Wembley to win

“Everyone's fit and healthy barring Maria [Thorisdottir],” Skinner said, when asked for an update on his squad prior to the team’s first-ever major final.

“I think we've got 21 fit players. Grace [Clinton] is back in training with us as well. She can't play, of course, but Grace is back until the end of the season training after her successful time [on loan] at Bristol [City].

“So, [we have] really good energy, a good fitness level. So, everyone should be available.”

Having given the latest update on the squad, Skinner explained the pre-match mindset of his team, providing an insight into some of the preparation that has been done away from the training pitch in the build-up to the big fixture.

The boss says that the Reds are not satisfied by just being in the team’s first-ever major final, with all focus on leaving Wembley as winners come Sunday evening.

“Look, I know we've already made history for Manchester United. You know, it's the [women’s team’s] first final, but the reality is we're there to try and win it and do our very best to do that. 

“The words of encouragement will be individual as well as [to the] group. The collective is about what we can control. So, factors that you can control before the game from half-time, from start of the game to half-time and after the team-talk to the end of the game.

“We've gone into that in detail. You know what to expect, how it feels, because I think that’s important. Some will go, ‘Yeah, it's another game.' Some will go, ‘Yeah, I need to feel it. I want to see what it's like.’ 

“So, I think it's making sure we get across the breadth of the spectrum of understanding and context. And so, we tried to do that. We've had discussions, we've had tactics, talks, all of these. 

“And then now what the skill of a coach is, is to try and put it to the minimum so they understand it and can take it into the game.”

The challenge facing Skinner’s side is about as big as it could be on the field, with Chelsea – the winners of the competition in each of the last two seasons – our opponents at the weekend. 

Our WSL title rivals come into the game in fine form too, having won their last two outings by an aggregate score of 13-0, against Everton and Leicester City. The onus for the Reds is to take the game to the Blues, insists the boss.

“To score the amount of goals scored in two games is… Chelsea can do that,” Skinner began, speaking to reporters via video link.

“I think everybody on this call knows how much respect I have for Emma [Hayes] and what Chelsea have done. 

“They're deadly [going forward] and we've got to make sure that we keep that to a minimum. Chelsea always create chances in every game that they play, so you've got to expect that a little bit.

“The reality is what we have to do is make sure that they [are] hurt [at] the other end. And if we do that and we play to that attitude and that mentality, then it's going to be a really exciting game. 

“There's no way we can stop Chelsea doing everything. But we can be prepared for as much as possible.”