Charlotte Healy Press Conference | Durham vs Bristol City

City Women boss Charlotte Healy met the media today ahead of making the trip to the North East to face Durham on Sunday. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

Charlotte, let's let's start off. We'll reflect on on last week and then a few good international call-ups as well. Um, but let's go back to the Birmingham defeat. Looking back on it now, how how do you assess the performance and and what didn't quite click on the day?

SPEAKER_03 0:12

Yeah, I was really happy with the performance, to be honest. I think um we had to we changed shape, you know, we made a few adjustments in terms of how we wanted to play in the game because we knew we had to nullify Birmingham's threats um and their rotations, and you know, they've got some real physicality in their team in terms of how they can move and obviously some real technical ability which they've brought in. So um, yeah, we had to set up in a way that we thought best nullified that, but also gave us opportunity to hurt them. We knew the spaces that they leave um in terms of how they build, and we felt we could really exploit getting down the sides of them, hence going with two up front. Um, and I thought the girls did that superbly. We were, in my opinion, we were the better team in the first half. We certainly had the better chances. Um, I don't think Fran made a save in that first half, and you know, their keepers come with some really big saves. So we were really happy at half time in terms of how we played, but we knew that they would come out um and probably have a little bit more of the ball. But it was one of those where we knew, I said before the game, it was about moments, and we had to make sure that when we got our opportunities, we took them. Um, but also we made sure that we nullified Birmingham as much as we could. And I really thought we did that, you know. I that the group are so um frustrated and disappointed with the goal. I think look, we went through it um, you know, more as a learning curve of anything, of you know, the decision, the application, the execution of it, um, and the consequence of it. And, you know, in that moment we probably just shouldn't have played out. It was as simple as that. And ultimately that's cost us the game. And and that's really frustrating because um I really feel for the girls. I I felt it was a really cruel defeat. Um, but like I said to the to them on Tuesday, there were so many positives for me for me to take in that game that I felt there was a real fight and togetherness and a real good application of what we had asked them to do. I thought they absolutely nailed the game plan. Um, and it was just details. And I think, you know, moving forward, we have to be that hard to beat, we have to defend in that manner, we have to press with that intent, and we have to be that um direct on transition at times to to exploit spaces teams leave because as the season's gone on, teams have set deeper and deeper against us, and you know, they become more organized and harder to break down. So we have to yeah, find opportunities to be ruthless when we need to be, um, and more direct when we need to be. And I thought there were some really good examples of that, and there's you know, real positives we can take into the next three games.

SPEAKER_02 2:39

I was gonna say, we'll we'll talk about Durham in a moment, but the the league table is such it's it just shows how this is a league of fine margins, doesn't it? It is just one or two wins difference, and you are looking at third place and and being above Palace. I mean, when you when you look at the table, do you think it gives a a fair representation of of where the team is, or do you actually feel like a bit higher up probably would be where you'd want to be?

SPEAKER_03 3:02

Yeah, I think I mean look, I um for me at the end of the league, the end of the season where you finish in the league is is probably a good indicator of where you're at. I I think we've been hardly done to this season, if I'm honest, in terms of decisions that have gone against us. You know, I look back at the Forest game, the Palace game, the Newcastle game. There's been some real big decisions, Charlton game, um, you know, against the big teams that have really gone against us. And, you know, I'm I'm not going to talk about referees after last night in the Champions League either. But um, you know, the we've had some real huge game-changing decisions go against us that I feel have cost us a huge amount of points. Um, so I I I feel that we we've performed better than than where we are currently in the table. Um, but ultimately, you know, you you can't you can't account for that. It's uh it's motivation for us that you know we know in in some games we haven't got the results that we needed. Um, you know, so we absolutely take accountability for that. But yeah, I think there's uh I think there's been other games that we've we've been hardly done to, to be honest.

SPEAKER_02 4:06

Well, you've got three games to to make the push on up, and you never know what's going to happen in football in terms of where you may finish this season. But Durham, despite league position, you know it's gonna be a very tricky one.

SPEAKER_03 4:15

Yeah, Durham are always a tough team to go to. Um, you know, and as at Manchester United, we had a really poor record there going to Durham away. It's a really small pitch. It's uh obviously a 3G pitch, uh, which is not ideal for anybody. So we have to go and and play their conditions, and we know how good Durham are at home, that's where they pick up all their points. Um, so we have to we have to play the conditions in that day. We spoke about it yesterday in training. Um, you know, we know what the pitch is going to be like, and we have to make sure that we don't play into Durham's hands. So um we spoke a lot about that, how we want to play and how we want to look on Sunday. Um, you know, and we look, we have to have the mentality that we're going with the next three games. That's what this team needs. We're we're growing, we're learning, we're getting better. Um, we've made huge strides this season, but the mentality piece is huge for me. I want us to be winners and I want us to make sure that you know it until we're mathematically um in a position where we can't go up, we can go up. It's as simple as that. Um and even if we can't, if we get to the stage where we can't, then you know, we're playing for ourselves and we're playing for the fans and we're playing for um us in terms of experiencing moments and learning and growing to make sure that we're in the best possible place we are next season because success is about experiences that you can draw on. I really believe that. And I think you know, you look at Birmingham last night, you know, they've they've been there and done it, and they've lost it on in the last moment. And they've, you know, last season and and they've had really they could have been 1-0 down in the in the last minute and they got the other end and scored the winner. And and you know, they're richer for the experiences they had last season and the season before. And we have to make sure that you know, when the season starts next year, we're richer for our experiences this year, and the more we can experience and the more we can grow from, the better the better place that we're going to be in, really.

SPEAKER_02 6:04

And a quick reflection on um some international call-ups during the week as well. I imagine that's always a nice thing to hear when you're in cat when you're uh at training and you you get the call or they get the call.

SPEAKER_03 6:12

Yeah, absolutely. We've had um, you know, a lot of players called up for the international break, which is great. I think you know, players have done really well, and I'm really pleased with where the playing group is at as a whole. I think they've pushed each other, they've got better. Um, when I look at the performances and the outputs from the start of the season to now, I think we're in you know a really good space and look, we want to push even more, we want to be even further ahead than we are. Um, but that's the mentality we will that we want to have. And when I talk about experiences, international football is is full of in experiences for for the players. So um, yeah, as a club, it's something that we're we're really happy with. And you know, the more people we can get involved in an international setup, the more experiences they get, and the more that enriches the work that we're doing.

SPEAKER_02 6:56

Thank you very much, Charlotte. Good luck for Sunday. Hope the sun is shining.

SPEAKER_03 6:58

Thank you very much.

SPEAKER_00 7:00

Morning, Charlotte.

SPEAKER_03 7:02

Hi, Dan, how are you?

SPEAKER_00 7:03

Yeah, not too bad, thank you. Uh you mentioned a few times about that sort of experience and how long other groups have been together in the division, I guess. How is it a positive for you that you feel that's where you're building and you've still got that to come? And the fact you're that competitive in the division now and you've been not quite where other people that are at the moment, how positive is that for you?

SPEAKER_03 7:24

Yeah, it's it's really positive. And I think you know, that the conversations I had with some of the staff and and the players on Tuesday was around, you know, that there was nothing in that game on Sunday. It was so close. It really could have gone either way. I don't think either team deserves to lose it. Um, but yeah, when you look at you know the players Birmingham have bought in and the time they've had together and the work Amy's done over that time, um, you know, they're where they're at, and you know, they're they'll probably they'll probably go up, I think, is is you know, safe to say after last night. So um we have all that to come, and that's really exciting for us. I think we've we've gone through an awful lot of change this year, uh, in a really positive way, but as positive as changes, change is hard to. Um, but we've we're we're richer for those experiences, you know. And I think the positive for me is I look at the teams around us and we're not too far away. Um I really feel that. I think look, we we beat each other and obviously at home and and decisions go our way, we beat them away. You know, Palace, two close games again, decision goes our way, we beat them away. Um, so the the the teams in and around us, I I really feel that um we're not too far away from, but I think ultimately we're richer for a year of these experiences, and we have to make sure that the lessons we've learned, and we've learned some really tough ones this year too. Um, you know, where we've we've not been at the level we need to be at in certain games, they're experiences that we need to learn from. Because if you want to be winners and you want um, you know, to go up and stay up in the WSL, you have to have a real ruthless and resilient mentality to take what's ahead of you game by game. And um, you know, I'm like I said, I'm I'm really proud of the journey we've been on this year. Um, you know, I I forget how early we are sometimes, and you know, we all want success straight away, right? But you have to build it and it takes time and and we know that too. Um, and I think you know, we have to just focus on us and we have to continue to learn and continue to get better and continue to apply those learnings. That's that's really key. You can't just learn lessons and not apply them. We have to make sure that we do apply them when we pick up results because ultimately results is is what's going to get this team to the next league.

SPEAKER_00 9:31

Yes, you mentioned those lessons as well. Is that almost for everyone at the football club? Obviously, you as a coach as well, but the ownership fairly new in as well. I guess it does it feel like there's almost that collaborative feeling of kind of everyone wanting to push on and learn together.

SPEAKER_03 9:45

Absolutely. You know, the ownership have been fantastic, I have to say. And you know, Mario was in this week, and and we were, you know, I was having conversations about this league and how challenged it is. And everyone who speaks to me tells me how mental this league is. And um, you know, the reality is we want this team in the top tier. That's where we want Bristol City to be. There's no doubt about that. But there's a process that comes with that. And I think, you know, Newcastle obviously been in the league a couple of years now, Birmingham have been in the league a couple of years, Palace, obviously with WSL and have come back down. So we're we're competing with teams that are full of investment now, competing with clubs um that want to go up to. So it's it's tighter than it's ever been, and it's harder than it's ever been. And um, you know, I think I think it's certainly me, I've learned a lot of lessons in my first year this year in this league. I think the players have learnt the lessons, and I'm sure the club have too. But I think the positive for me is that there's such good collaboration. I think we're all aligned. Um, we know where we want to get to for sure. And and I I honestly can't tell you how people, how hard people are working behind the scenes to get us to a place where we're WSL1 ready. So if and when we do go up, we will be ready and and we will give ourselves the best chance of staying in the in the league.

SPEAKER_00 10:56

In terms of the sort of mood around training this week, I imagine it's is it a bit of a hard one's quite now to feel when you're really happy with the performance and the results, not quite gotten away. I imagine people are frustrated, but you're trying to lift them as well.

SPEAKER_03 11:08

Yeah, it's true. I mean, I came back on Sunday after the game, and the first thing I did was was watch the game back, and I don't know if it made me feel better or worse. I was like, you know, we we we executed the game plan really well, and you know, there's a spell in that second half where you know I think Birmingham came out on top, which um but look, with the quality they have, they're going to. And uh I said that to the group before the game, it will be a swing of momentum. I don't think either team will dominate for 90 minutes. Um, so yeah, look, I think it was really important that you know when we do our review and and we look at it, we look at actually we need to do this better in these areas where Birmingham did hurt us. Um, but actually there were some real positives here, and there's always things that you can take into the games that you've got coming up. And and we spoke about a couple of things that we were really happy with how we did and how we executed, um, that maybe we actually haven't executed that well um previously, certainly this side of Christmas. Um, you know, I think we've we've probably conceded too many goals and we've not been as as defensively um compact and and clean as we want to be. And you know, across the whole team, not just that's not just the defenders, it's everybody. We've conceded too many goals and we've been too easy to to score against teams going you know really direct against us. So um actually on on Sunday, I thought we did that excellently. And you know, I think Franz made a save at one-nil, but other than that, I didn't really remember making a save, albeit Birmingham did have some chances. But um, yeah, so for me, like the the areas that we knew if we were going to compete against Birmingham, we had to be better at. I thought we were, um, you know, and there's some real good lessons there to show. Actually, when we did this and this, we were really successful, and there's some really good conversations from the players around, well, you know, when you did this, this really helped us and this communication here and that, you know. So the conversations that we're having now are, you know, they're they're almost um demanding more from each other and trying to get the best out of each other. And that's a really good space to be in as a manager to know that we're all aligned here and everyone wants to get better. And um yeah, I think look, we're we're disappointed with the result, absolutely. And um, that was a it was a cruel one to take, it was sore, and uh, I think everybody felt it, but we haven't got time to feel sorry for ourselves. That's the reality of it. You know, we can't be losers, we have to be um a team that has the mentality of okay, we didn't, you know, win win that game, but we we have to win the next three, and and that's the mentality that this team will have.

SPEAKER_00 13:27

Team user-wise, everyone fully fit. Any any changes from the weekend?

SPEAKER_03 13:32

Uh no, obviously Daf suspended and picked up a fifth yellow card. So um, but other than that, no, everybody is uh is clean, clean bill health.

SPEAKER_00 13:41

I just wanted to ask about Ella uh Ella Powell as well. Um the nice I know you spoke about a post game on Sunday, but really nice moment for her. And I saw a message on social media as well, clear how much the football club means for her as well.

SPEAKER_03 13:53

Yeah, absolutely. Look, I think um, you know, to get, like I say, guys, to the game, to get 100 caps for any team in in women's football is not easy because you only play 20 odd games a year. So um that's a real testament to her and her dedication to to Bristol City and also for her family. I think you know it's a real proud moment. And I I saw her mum and dad and how proud they were, and you know, those moments are really special. It's you know, it being in a footballer, being a footballer is amazing, and working in professional football is amazing, but it's really hard as well, and it it's uh it takes sacrifices and it takes um you know a lot of hard work and dedication, and and families miss out on that sometimes, you know. So um it's really nice that we could celebrate that and and really special for Ella and her family.

SPEAKER_00 14:36

Just wanted to ask you as well, there's been change of management on the men's side as well. Obviously, a very experienced head coach in the building now and Royal Hodgson is he someone you'll be able to pick the brains of it to, I guess. How does that relationship work between the men's and women's side?

SPEAKER_03 14:49

Yeah, I hope so. We I mean we're we're the the way that the schedules work, we kind of always miss each other, um, which is obviously how we kind of coexist in the building. So um I have met him though. I I spoke with him um at dinner the other day, which was nice, and yeah, look, he's an incredibly experienced manager. So um, yeah, I think myself and the and the coaching staff will try and try and grab lunch within one day and pick his brains, that's for sure.

SPEAKER_00 15:12

Good luck on Sunday.

SPEAKER_03 15:13

Thank you, Doug.

SPEAKER_01 15:18

Morning Charlotte, how are you?

SPEAKER_03 15:19

Hi, Matt, I'm good. How are you?

SPEAKER_01 15:21

Uh not too bad myself. I could have done a bit more sleep, but uh Um, I guess with the bank holiday coming up, how's the travel plans um looking ahead to Dome? Are you uh setting off later today? Tomorrow? Um obviously early kickoff as well probably doesn't help things either.

SPEAKER_03 15:40

Yeah, no, we're gonna fly. There's a flight actually Saturday night from Bristol to to Newcastle. So uh we'll be flying up Saturday night, uh train probably a little bit later, and then yeah, head straight to the airport. So yeah, it doesn't affect us luckily.

SPEAKER_01 15:54

Okay, all right, that's all good to hear. Um I guess sort of looking to the future, you mentioned um you know that you're very big uh proud of the players that are going to be going on international duty later this month and the experiences that they are going to take from it. But you know, at such a you know high crucial point of the season, it it it kind of sort of takes away from the momentum and a bit of the focus, I guess, is this like a I I don't want to say like a bit of an annoyance in a way, but you know, it's not exactly the ideal, you know, taking uh key members of your squad away on international duty while you want to focus on obviously striving for promotion, or on the other hand, is this um like a good moment for a bit of like rehabilitation between Durham and Newcastle given that Durham will be your fourth successive weekend of football?

SPEAKER_03 16:52

Yeah, I mean look, international breaks, we we know when they are, they're set well in advance. So um, you know, for for the players who are involved in the setup, I think you know they they all enjoy going away and and having that time representing the country. I think it's an incredible thing to do. So um yeah, I think the players enjoy it. And you know, for the players that don't go, it's about us creating our own momentum and making sure that we get the balance right. Actually, they get some time off, which is nice for them. You know, hopefully some of them can go maybe get a bit of sun for a few days abroad and um and have a bit of time because these breaks are long now. Um, you know, the new international break style um moving forward, apart from the first one next year, will be will be this longer period. So yeah, we go obviously a bit of time. It takes, I think there were six games left, and it it takes about three months to play them like the last uh few games of the season. So yeah, it's it can be a little bit disjointed, but look, we have to create amour and momentum, it's the same for every team. Um, so it's it's not an excuse. We just have to get the balance right for the players that are not going away to make sure that they get some individual work in, they get the opportunity to play um potentially with the academy when we get the opportunity to, because every other every other club's in the same position. So um we will try and get friendly for that break and then um yeah, give uh give players a couple of days off to to refresh themselves and make sure they're ready to go um for the last two games of the season.

SPEAKER_01 18:15

Okay, all good. Um just taking a look to your opposite number, um, obviously um Neil Redfern is um very recent in the door at Durham. I think it's just under three weeks since his appointment with Adam Furness being moved elsewhere in the club. From his um I I think it's three games that he's uh had in charge now. What have you been able to gauge from his playing style? Because you couldn't exactly say they've had a a new manager bounce, but but just from uh how they've played so far uh without giving too much away, of course. What are certain points that you're going to be looking to exploit come Sunday?

SPEAKER_03 18:55

Yeah, I mean I'm I'm not gonna tell you what we're gonna do, but I think from from my point of view, having watched the games, I think they play a little bit more than than Durham probably previously have. Um, you know, they try and they try and play through a little bit more and a little less direct, but they're still um they look to play into the front line and set and and run beyond. And you know, they've got athletic players that can do that. So they're areas of of Durham's game that we absolutely have to be aware of. Um and you know, of course, there's there's always um opportunities to exploit given how that team plays, that or given how the opposition plays, that that we've got to make sure that we get right. And you know, we have to we have to focus on us on on Sunday. I'm I'm really keen on that. You know, we always do, of course, a bit on the opposition, but um we've got to make sure we get our bits right too, and that we exploit those moments when we get the opportunity to, um, that we're clean on our set plays and we defend well. But um, there's areas that we can hurt door, and we know that, and they're what we've worked on this week to make sure that we're we're in a place to go and apply it on Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 19:57

Can you see yourself being more aggressive from the off? Maiden Castle is a bit of a fortress for them, it's where they've taken the majority of their points this season. You um said post-Birmingham that you sort of changed up the style in the final 15 minutes or so. I think it sort of resembled a 4-4-2 in a way with um Lexi and Rio as the two up top and then Ferrugia coming out on the right. And you're gonna have to forgive me here. I've completely completely dropped my mind who came out left. But do you think you'll be um sort of looking to go that way um right from the off uh Sunday?

SPEAKER_03 20:37

Oh, we we'll look at how we're gonna build and you know the shape that we want to be in, the areas of the pitch that we want to um overload, um, you know, and we'll take our shape off that. But I was really pleased with with both structures on on Sunday. Um, I think there's there's positives and um you know constraints to both, but yeah, look, we'll we'll play in a way where um we get the most out of the team, where we can exploit Durham the best way, and also play the conditions of the pitch because it's a very small pitch as well. Um, so all those things come into account really when we're looking to to pick our starting 11 and pick our game plan. And um, yeah, you'll see on Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 21:18

Um I guess one player that does know Durham a bit more than the others in your squad is Rio Hardy, of course, having been a former player there herself. Uh the goals haven't quite come as um flowing for her come to the turn of the year um as they were um in the latter half of 2025. Um do you plan to start her from uh um off on Sunday and uh sort of in what role are you trying to imagining for her just to sort of get her goal scoring form back to the levels that it was pre 2026?

SPEAKER_03 22:00

I mean, look, I think I've been really clear that Rio has given us more than goals this season for sure. Um, she's come up with really important ones. She obviously scored this side of the year against Forest, but she's also been in and out of the team. You know, she's she's not started every game this this second half. She's we've adapted how we've played slightly. Um, and you know, we've changed shape a couple of times, which were we were a little bit more consistent, probably first half of the season, but we we needed to adapt um because you know we were a little one-dimensional, I felt, come to the the last stages of December. Um, so yeah, look, Rio is, you know, she's um an absolute winner, and she, you know, you say she's not scored goals, she's still top of the goal scoring charts in the WSL joint top. So um, you know, she's come up with important goals for us, and you know, when she gets her opportunity, I have no doubt she'll want to take it.

SPEAKER_01 22:52

Thank you. And I guess the benefit with the early kickoff um at Durham is that you do get to watch football for the remainder of the day, you know. Newcastle or Gateshead, I should say, is you know, only a stone's throw away. Will you be um uh perhaps uh planning to sort of watch uh Newcastle's game with the squads uh following your own match rose at Durham, or will it be something that you sort of save for another day given that it is three weeks down the line, essentially?

SPEAKER_03 23:23

Oh yeah, no, we won't well, I mean people might watch the game on the way back. Um I don't know, but um no, we will look we we worry about ourselves, you know, Newcastle's a few weeks away after the break. So um yeah, we take each game as it comes and um yeah, we will we'll watch that footage back, I'm sure. Um maybe some people might watch it live on the coach, but we certainly won't be going to watch it now.

SPEAKER_01 23:46

Okay. Uh thank you very much, Charlotte, and all the best for Sunday.