Skinner: Tonight, we really showed up
Marc Skinner was delighted following United’s 7-0 victory over Everton in the Continental Tyres Cup on Thursday evening.
The Reds dominated the game with Nikita Parris securing a hat-trick and goals also coming from Rachel Williams, Hayley Ladd, Geyse and Leah Galton.
Skinner utilised his full squad with Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Evie Rabjohn making their debuts for the club on a memorable night at Leigh Sports Village.
The United boss spoke to the press after the game, and below you can read his responses.
Skinner: The girls were magnificent
Marc Skinner praises the performance levels of his players, following the Reds' comprehensive victory over Everton...
On the impressive performance…
"I am very pleased. We have been threatening that every game. We are new together, we have a lot of changes within the team. It’s a great example of a group of players coming together and playing together. I haven’t been happy with our counter-press attitude over the last few games. Tonight we really showed up. That’s our DNA, we should press. From our perspective, we are accruing different talents to play different styles. Hayley [Ladd] is coming back to form. She hasn’t played as much as she would like but tonight she played really well. We have high standards here and we always will have high standards."
On Geyse scoring her first goal…
"We have had a chat with Geyse this week. We have seen her skill, her backheels. She is fast and she does things that people don’t expect. That’s another skill-set that we want. Tonight was important that if she got a goal she celebrated. Forwards want to get goals. I am really happy she had that opportunity to do that. She also showed her play and character. When it wasn’t right she passed the ball to Nikita [Parris]. And just a word on Nikita – I thought she was fabulous tonight. She was a predator. I would also like to credit Evie Rabjohn for her debut, Phallon [Tullis-Joyce] for her debut. Lisa Naalsund and Hayley Ladd were excellent tonight."
On making changes…
"You never know if you’re going to get [a performance like that]. Seven new players coming in, even with their qualities will take time. The scoreline is deserved I think and I am really happy with the way they took to the game. I thought in the first half we could have been even more aggressive so I asked them to do that at half-time and they did that. As a coach, I made seven changes and I know West Ham don’t have a midweek game so they have a whole seven days to prep so it was important that we gave that freshness so that on Sunday we can go and unleash again. I want that aggression, this is our home, it’s our fortress and I want to see that performance again."