Coventry City Ladies winger Nicole Dale urges team to push on...
Coventry City Ladies winger Nicole Dale has urged the players to forget last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, as they prepare for a crucial part of their season.
The Sky Blues conceded three goals inside the opening 26 minutes at the Bedworth Oval, a result which helped a clinical Manchester City into 4th position in the FA Women’s Premier League.
Dale believes that the squad have enough resilience to bounce back, ahead of their crucial fixture with Charlton Athletic this weekend.
Dale admitted: “It took us a full half to get our act together. We need to get out of the blocks quicker against Charlton, and each individual needs to be ready to fight when the whistle blows.
“The second-half display showed that we can complete at this level but we need to be fully focused from the off. We need to forget the last game, carry on from where the second-half finished, and then we will have a great platform to build on."
The result kept Coventry City in 8th position in the table but they will be boosted by their upcoming fixture schedule, which sees them play teams within touching distance of themselves.
They take on Charlton, Cardiff City and Aston Villa, with the prospect of reducing the point’s deficit, as well as hosting bottom-placed Barnet.
The Sky Blues also have the matter of defending their Birmingham FA County Cup crown, when they take on Sporting Club Albion early next month.
Despite recent league disappointment, Dale is optimistic about the remaining seven games of the season.
She added: “A good season would be to win the FA County Cup, and take at least 12 points from the remaining games.
“I think this is more than achievable with the games and management we have here at Coventry City.”
City will have the psychological edge going into this weekend’s game, having won the reverse tie 2-0 back in August, courtesy of two goals from top scorer Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.
The FA Women’s Premier League fixture takes place at Sporting Club Thamesmead this Sunday, and will kick off at 2pm.