Charlotte Healy Press Conference | Portsmouth vs Bristol City

Charlotte Healy met the media today ahead of facing Portsmouth in WSL2 on Sunday. 

She discussed  how the International break has given her time to reflect, reset and prepare for the business end of the season.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Charlotte, good to see you. Thanks for your time as always. Um seems a long time, doesn't it, since your your last game. So know that you're all eager to get back on the pitch.

SPEAKER_01 0:08

Yeah, absolutely. It's been uh a couple of weeks. It's a long odd international break this one. So yeah, looking forward to um to getting back on the pitch for sure.

SPEAKER_00 0:16

Yeah. Did the game free time come at a good time for you given the run you're on?

SPEAKER_01 0:21

Yeah, I think it's a natural reflection point, right? I think January was a was a really long block. Um, some good things in there, some things we're really pleased with, and of course some some results that you know we were on the wrong end of, and um area key areas that I think we need to improve as well. So yeah, I think a natural reflection time and opportunity to review what we've done on the pitch and look ahead to what we need to improve uh moving forwards.

SPEAKER_00 0:46

Yeah, it's an important game against Portsmouth, isn't it, now this weekend?

SPEAKER_01 0:50

Yeah, I think every game's an important game, to be honest with you. I think um, you know, it's a game, of course, we want to win, but we want to win every game. So we have to, you know, the the old cliche take one game at a time, we have to prepare in the best way. We've got to get everybody back on Bristol City mode really quickly and um make sure that we put on a performance that gives us the best chance of winning the game on Sunday.

SPEAKER_00 1:11

Yeah, um, you've beaten them twice already, haven't you? Uh both games were 2-0. Um, I guess we shouldn't read too much into that though. Should we should we really? But is it is something it obviously gives you a good yardstick going into game when you've played them a couple of times already?

SPEAKER_01 1:25

Yeah, I think you know you can't take that for granted. We'd beaten Southampton twice too, um, you know, and we didn't win that second league game. So um, you know, Portsmouth are obviously coming off the back of a a really good result for them on Wednesday night, beating Trouton. So they'll be flying too, they'll be back in the swing of things already. You know, I think everybody wants a game under the belt when you come back off international break, especially one so long. So you can look at it two ways, you know, they might be a little bit tired and fatigued going into the game, but they also probably have a little bit more rhythm too. So um, we're gonna have to make sure we start the game fast and that we nullify their threats, and um, like I said, that we we turn up and and show the the best of ourselves um in this game on Sunday.

SPEAKER_00 2:04

Yeah, absolutely. Um every game's gonna be important, isn't it? Do you feel though that it takes on more importance um because of the the the last few results? That does it each game become more important as as it goes along, if you know what I mean.

SPEAKER_01 2:16

Yeah, I think look, we're we're in the business end of the season, right? I think the that it's incredibly close. I think you know you'd be uh you know, you'd be silly to to put bets on now on who's going to be on that third place. I think it's wide open. So all we can do is is control what we can control. You know, we um we know what we're good at and we know the threats that we can cause teams, but we know equally the areas that we need to tighten up a little bit. So um for me it's about making sure this team gets better every week, and we have to make sure that we're learning and applying that learning each week and and we're growing and we're heading in the right direction. And I think if you do that, you give yourself the best chance of winning those games.

SPEAKER_00 2:56

Yeah, the the squad all refreshed and ready to go again. Um, I guess that's one of the benefits, isn't it, when you have a a couple of weeks off from game times?

SPEAKER_01 3:06

Yeah, it is. We've we've um you know, we're still a little bit depleted to be honest, in terms of injuries. Um, but you know, we've got a few um that are close to to coming back. So um, you know, looking forward to having those back with us over the next week or two. Um but the the group have been great, you know, it's really hard for the the non-international players in that in that block because it's a really long break. Um, so you know, they were fantastic and they they worked incredibly hard over the break. And of course, then to get the internationals back and everyone's you know trained well this week. It's been a really good week for us to get everybody back in the building, and and as I said, we have to um transfer that into the game now on Sunday.

SPEAKER_00 3:45

Yeah, and just finally, Ashton Gate in use for other reasons this week, which is good for the club, isn't it, to have a game like that uh taking place uh at your home?

SPEAKER_01 3:53

Yeah, absolutely. I think um, you know, look, a league cup final is uh is a big occasion for Chelsea and Manchester United. So, you know, to to have that in our home ground and you know get fans to to come in and see the quality that we have at Ashton Gate and the you know the pitch in the stadium and the setup, I think um is a real positive for the football club, but also for for Bristol as a city.

SPEAKER_00 4:15

Yeah, good luck for the weekend. Thanks for talking to me. Appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 4:18

Thank you, Dan.

SPEAKER_00 4:19

Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 4:20

As you've kind of touched on, obviously, coming to this weekend off the back of the international break. What does that break look like for the group, obviously having so many players away on international duty?

SPEAKER_01 4:29

Yeah, it's been it's been pretty quiet to be honest. Um, I think you know, the well the first week they they came in for a couple of days and then they had a bit of time off. Um, and then they've they've been back in and done that full week uh last week. So a lot of it really is around individual things, individual development. Um, you know, some of it of course is loading, but it's it's trying to make it fun, it's trying to make it individual and it's trying to make sure that we really hone in on areas of those individuals, um give them some some love and some time and make sure that they're getting out of it what they need to.

SPEAKER_03 5:02

And Amara, I think earlier in the week there are a couple of first team players involved in uh under 21s game. Is that just to keep players fit and minutes and legs, really?

SPEAKER_01 5:09

Yeah, I think the international break is great for international players, right? But for non-international players to go three weeks without a game is is uh is difficult to be honest. It really is. It definitely wasn't designed for uh for players who aren't involved in international setups, so it's it's difficult for them to be honest, and I think it's conversations I've had with with other managers as well that it's it's a long old time. So yeah, we've had to be um flexible and and try and find ways to make sure the players can get game time in that time, um, you know, just keep them ticking over, really.

SPEAKER_03 5:41

I guess do you find that especially with that break coming at this kind of stage of the season just before you kind of get to the last six games, is that even more of a challenge when you're trying to, I guess, build the momentum go into the final stages?

SPEAKER_01 5:50

Yeah, I mean, you know, it's it takes us three months to play six games, so that is uh, you know, that is not great for rhythm, but I think ultimately, you know, when you you have such a long block, then it's obvious too that the international breaks will come back to back. Um, so you know, we've got an important block of four games and then another break, so we have to create our own rhythm and we have to create our own flow and and make sure that we don't waste any time in getting back into that rhythm because you know we're under no illusions that we've got to hit the ground running.

SPEAKER_03 6:18

And for the players that have been away, has everyone settled back in since since they've come back?

SPEAKER_01 6:22

Yeah, great. I think it's it's always a good first week back when everyone comes in and tells the stories of the camps they've had and where they've been and what they've been up to. So um, yeah, we're lucky that we have you know a number of players away on international duty, they've all come back fit, uh, which is a positive for us, and then um yeah, it's always uh great for the group to have everybody back together and and back training.

SPEAKER_03 6:44

And what's been the overall message to the players that have come back going to this next final stretch of games?

SPEAKER_01 6:50

Well, the message has been the same to everybody, whether they've been away or not. You know, we have to make sure that we're we're all in, we're back on Bristol City mode, and we're all in ready to you know well, perform against what will be uh a really confident Portsmouth at the back of Wednesday night. So um yeah, we have to make sure that we're back to us and that we show the best of ourselves, say it all the time. I think when we're at our best, we cause any team's problems. Um when we're not at our best, you know, we've we've find ourselves on the wrong end of results. So uh it's on us to make sure we prepare right, that we get ourselves in the right frame of mind and our mentalities right to go and take the game to Portsmouth and um you know try and get back to winning ways.

SPEAKER_03 7:31

And you touched on the injuries. How important is your uh squad depth going to be going to this this weekend and the last final six games?

SPEAKER_01 7:37

Yeah, it's really important. You need competition in in all areas, and I think you know we've got that. We have been lucky throughout the season that our bench has come on and you know really impacted games positively, which is you know really good news for a manager. Um and we will continue to need the whole squad. So it's important that you know everyone stays fit and everyone stays sharp and everyone's ready when the call pump because um yeah, six games to go and and we need to make sure everybody's right at it.

SPEAKER_03 8:05

And aside from obviously a positive performance and a result this weekend, what else are you expecting to see from the team and what you really wanted in terms of general performance and and key areas?

SPEAKER_01 8:16

Three points. That's what I want on Sunday. Um I want to see it back to winning ways. I think the business end of the season, you have to find ways to win. Um, you know, we've got some some exciting games coming up. I think uh, you know, it's the end of the season that everybody enjoys, so we just have to take you know it game by game. I think uh a good performance and uh a positive result gives us a good flow, then going into the next game. But it's just about us. That's all I'm I'm concentrating on is how do we make sure we get the best out of ourselves and we show the best of ourselves on Sunday, um, that we make Portsmouth defend, that we cause some problems, and you know, I know I know we've got the quality. I said it before, it's it's the mentality to really push through and um make teams defend and you know, us to defend properly and and not concede um you know goals that uh we don't need to, I think is going to be really important for us, and I think if we can do that, then you know we give ourselves a good foundation for the next what would be five games.

SPEAKER_03 9:13

And Portsmouth, obviously, with that big win in midweek, what how does that how do you see this game now? Obviously, they've struggled a little bit in terms of a bad run of form before that point. Does does that create a bit of an extra challenge when they come into this game with that confidence?

SPEAKER_01 9:25

I I think it just shows the the league, right? I I don't think um, you know, uh it's a listen, it's an amazing result for them. Um I don't take anything away from that. Um, you know, but it was it was a corner and a free kick, and other than that, there wasn't really anything in the game, I didn't think. So um, you know, absolutely they they should be really pleased with that win because you know, to beat a team that is unbeaten on the run that that Charlton have been on, you know, it's been pretty incredible from Charlton to be honest, to go unbeaten that long in this league. So um, you know, for Portsmouth, I'm sure they're they're pretty pretty proud and so they should be of getting that result. But um, you know, we don't have to overplay it either, we don't have to vig it up to more than it was. It was uh you know, a corner and a free kick. And I would think Charlton would want to defend both of those better, if I'm totally honest. So we've got to make sure that um you know that we're ready for the threat. I thought Portsmouth came out the blocks really, really quick against Charlton. That's one thing that you know they did do really well, and we have to make sure that we're prepared for that, but also that we can show our threats and that we start the game well and we get control early doors because um you know when you go 2-0 down in nine minutes, it makes it really, really difficult. Um, you know, Charlotte and then end up having a lot of the ball, which is not what they're used to. Um so we have to make sure that yeah, we play our game and and we you know do our best to get control and and make sure the play the game plays out the way that we want it to.

SPEAKER_03 10:46

And Lauren Brisky was named player of the month of February. How well do you think she's settled in and what have you made her functions so far, especially when you've got so much competition in the goalkeeper department?

SPEAKER_01 10:53

Yeah, she's been great, she's done really, really well. And I think um the whole goalkeeper department, to be honest, has been you know really superb for us. I think you know, Matt, our goalkeeper coach, has done a fantastic job with with Fran and Lauren and Jackie. I think they've all um added some real quality and some real competition into the goalkeeping department. Um, you know, Lauren obviously had played a couple of games, you know, she obviously saved the Alessia's penalty, which um you know I'm sure contributed significantly to a winning um player of the month, but she's done great, she's a great human, she's come in, she's confident, she's positive, and you know, I don't think we've seen the best of her yet. I think we have to remember this is probably still her pre-season um too. So um she was kind of thrown in a little bit with Fran's injury, but she's absolutely took that opportunity, and that's what we want from players is that when they get the opportunity to shine, and and she's really done that for us.

SPEAKER_02 11:44

Hello Charlotte.

SPEAKER_01 11:45

Hi, Andrea. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 11:47

Uh yeah, I'm alright. Um how was the international break for you?

SPEAKER_01 11:51

It was good. Yeah, it was uh an opportunity, I think, for me as a manager to look a little bit further ahead. Um, I think when you're in the day-to-day and and the games are coming thick and fast, you're very much focused on the day-to-day and and what's next. I think with only you know a couple of players in sessions obviously look very different because they're very individual focused. Um, so yeah, it gave me some time to work with other staff and look at, you know, actually um what are we looking at long term, you know, how do we continue to move in the right direction, um, and more probably yeah, spend a little bit more time from a strategy point of view, which was which was great. Um, and then yeah, you know, now we're we're straight back into games and back to the day-to-day and back on the grass and and looking ahead to the next game.

SPEAKER_02 12:41

Did you get any time off?

SPEAKER_01 12:43

I did, I had a few days away. Um I with my partner, we went and uh saw my family uh out in Spain, so that was nice for a couple of days. It didn't rain for four days, which uh for anyone with all has not witnessed that for a long time. So yeah, it was nice just to be dry for for a couple of days. Um and then yeah, I think it's really important that we get the balance right, and you know, it's the same for the players. I think it's important that they get that time off just to have a mental break from the place and think about something other than the next game. Um, so yeah, important that we do that and then um you know, straight back to it the following week.

SPEAKER_02 13:21

You talked about looking ahead, having the opportunity to look ahead. I I don't know if you looked at the table at all. Um I I'd been looking at um the fixes for a while and you know, talk amongst fans as always for a while has been about March being quite a key month. Is that how you've been looking at it as well?

SPEAKER_01 13:38

Yeah, I think look, when you play the top two back to back, um, you know, of course it's going to be deemed a big month, but um, you know, for me February was a big month too. We're playing against two teams that were close to us, and um, you know, we didn't get the results we wanted in those games, so of course, then more um you know, more onus gets put on on the following games, but ultimately every game with six games to go, every game is a big game. I think everybody's got everybody to play yet. So for me, I think it's going to be a really exciting run-in for the neutral. Um, and we just have to make sure that we take care of ourselves and that we concentrate on us and that we um make sure that we're prepared for each and every game and the nuances of each and every game, and that we prepare the players in the best possible way to help them perform on the weekend.

SPEAKER_02 14:26

Uh absolutely, I think uh I think Lexi scored, didn't she, in the international break? And Maria Ferrugia scored. Um there's been a a few games now where you know there's been some good plays and not quite putting the ball in the back of the net. Does them scoring on the international break give you pause for thought in your team selection?

SPEAKER_01 14:46

Yeah, I think look, we need uh, you know, we need all our players firing, that's for sure. I think um, you know, Lexi's obviously scored a couple for us recently, gone away and scored. Vera was the same, scored a couple of goals on international camp. So absolutely, you know, three weeks for that game is a long time. So when players can go away and play and um, you know, get a change of scenery and you know, find their flow, I think that's really important. And you know, we want to make sure that they come back and continue that form with us because whether people are starting games or they're coming into games, um, if they're in good goal goal scoring form, that is always a positive.

SPEAKER_02 15:22

Yeah. The um women's African Cup of Nations has been delayed. I don't suppose you have any idea why that is. Um is that good news for you? Because Maureen DeFur is going to be around.

SPEAKER_01 15:34

Yeah, I mean, selfishly, uh, yeah, it is because you know Daph's been, I think, probably our most underrated player, in my opinion, this year. I think she's been absolutely superb for us, and uh I think we've really, really missed her in the time that she's been out injured. She's very close to a return, which is real positive news for us. And obviously that would have meant she'd have been gone straight to AFCON. So um, yeah, I don't have any other news than what's been put out. I know it's going to be it's moved to July now, um, in in preseason. So um, yeah, for us, we want our you know, all our players available and to have daft for the run in will be really key for us too, I think.

SPEAKER_02 16:12

Yeah, definitely. Um so the the league cut final at Ashton Gates on Sunday, it's obviously your uh former colleagues who are going to be there. Is there part of you that wishes you were playing at a different time and you could be there?

SPEAKER_01 16:24

No, no, I'm fully fully Bristol City now, Andrew. I think uh yeah, look, I think it'll be I think it'll be a really close game. I think both teams are um, you know, they've had some really close games recently. I think they've played each other a lot, so I don't think there'll be too many surprises, but I do think it'll be a really good game of football. And um, yeah, of course, I I wish I could watch it, but I think you know we have a really important game too, and um, you know, we're we're all in on that.

SPEAKER_02 16:49

Yeah, so there is a possibility though, isn't there, of a a final at Ashton Gate. Maybe the playoff final in uh WSL 2 could be played at Ashton Gate. That exciting news for you and the players?

SPEAKER_01 17:02

Yeah, I think um I've known that for a while to be honest. I didn't realise that that wasn't common knowledge, but I think yeah. Yeah, I think it's gonna be really difficult for the third place team. I think um look you have to finish the season and then have to wait three weeks for the for the final is really difficult because you know there's not going to be many teams that you have the opportunity to play because everyone else will be finished. So yeah, I think look having the home advantage of course will always help, but I think um the challenge and and what will probably need to be looked at is the gap between the WSL2's last game on the third and then the three-week gap with obviously the WSL having their last round of fixtures and then the FA Cup and then it being the following week, that's is quite a long time. So um yeah, I think home advantage is nice, but it's it's keeping the rhythm, I think, for that third place team will be the biggest challenge.

SPEAKER_02 17:50

Okay, I just wanted to ask you about the the Portsmouth um taking. That was a 479 game or day unbeaten run for Charlton. Is was part of that, you think, the the kind of stop start nature of the of the season and then them playing on the Wednesday before everyone else. Is it is it sort of that break in the rhythm that's maybe caused that issue for Charlton?

SPEAKER_01 18:15

Potentially. Uh, you know, I I don't know. I think uh, you know, they would probably argue the first goal was a foul and the second one wasn't a free kick, so it depends who you ask, right? Um I think uh I think look, Charlton have done absolutely incredible. I think the work Hilsey's done there over the past few seasons has been, you know, she's reaping the rewards of it now. I think I've said it all season that the teams that have had the most consistency in Charlton and Birmingham are the teams that have built over time, and um, you know, I think a lot of credit has to go to to Hilsey and and the work she's done there. Um, you know, unbeaten ones don't last forever, we know that. I don't think you can take anything away from Charlton, but you know, I think they'll be I think they'll be pretty disappointed in the manner that it happened. Um but ultimately, you know, Portsmouth are fighting for their lives, and it's you know it's not the first time that they've that they've had a resurgence in the second half of the season. Um, so we have to be prepared for that. And you know, no game is easy. It's it is I think the toughest of leagues um because you know there's there's so much unpredictability week in, week out, and I guess that's what makes the championship so fun. Um, but it's why you you really can't look too far ahead. You have to really make sure that you go game by game because um you know every team has threats and nuances and and ways that they can hurt you, and you have to be prepared for that.

SPEAKER_02 19:34

Yeah, I th that's a particular thing this season, isn't it? Because on Sunday you've got a uh a team battling relegation against a team um battling to get into the playoffs or maybe an automatic promotion, and that hasn't always been the case with this league and with that structure as it is this year, it's particularly exciting, right?

SPEAKER_01 19:53

Absolutely, and I think look, everybody's fighting for something now. I think it's uh you know, the difficulty is I think when you're in a position in the league and you've got six games left every three months and you've got nothing to fight for, you know, and that's what we're saying to the players, you know, embrace the situation we're in because it's exciting, we've got something to play for, it's what we wanted. And um, you know, whether you're fighting relegation, you're fighting to win the title, you're fighting for automatics, you're fighting for playoffs, um, you know, there really is a lot to play for. So yeah, I think um I think the league is exciting. I think it'll be a really exciting run in for the neutrals.

SPEAKER_02 20:28

Well, good luck on Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 20:30

Thank you, Andrew.

SPEAKER_02 20:31

Cheers, everyone, happy weekend. Cheers.