Charlotte Healy Press Conference | Bristol City vs Newcastle United

Bristol City Women boss Charlotte Healy previews the final home game of the season as we welcome Newcastle United to Ashton Gate. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

I'm guessing it feels like probably a completely different month to the last time you played football, doesn't it, Charlotte, with the weather changes and everything?

SPEAKER_00 0:05

Yeah, completely. It's been uh yeah, it's been a a bit disjointed, hasn't it, with the two international breaks um so close together. So yeah, it's been it's been amazing this week, to be honest, to get everybody back in and um, you know, we had a really good international break um for our players that went away. A lot of them had a really good camp, which is always nice to then come back and have real good energy and good vibe and you know, really important game for us on Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 0:29

Does it sometimes feel like that moment can almost act as like a refresher in at this point of the season?

SPEAKER_00 0:34

Yeah, I think so. I think look, everybody goes away and you know they go all over the world and play different styles and different competitions, different games, and um, you know, it's a chance for them to, I guess, yeah, reset a little bit. And um, you know, we've been able to refocus this week and you know, make sure that we're all clear on what's important to us and how we want to end the season. And um, you know, we've got an opportunity to do that on the weekend.

SPEAKER_01 0:56

I was gonna say, in terms of you being able to close the gap and potentially leapfrog into fourth, what would it mean to you to be able to finish the season in that position and to go basically do the best you can at that moment in time?

SPEAKER_00 1:08

Well, we have to. That's the mentality we have to have, you know. Um, I think Newcastle will be, you know, disappointed that they've they're not in the promotion, automatic promotion slots this year, given you know where they're they're at as a club, and um, you know, they're gonna be really motivated to finish as high up as they can as well. So we've got to make sure that um, you know, we showcase the best of ourselves. We know that you know they're gonna be real tough competition, but ultimately, you know, we want to show the progress that we've made this season. We've done so much good work on and off the pitch, to be honest. And you know, I'm really proud to manage this team and this club and to see the direction of travel we've been in this year. Um, you know, we're disappointed where we are at the minute, but it's so close from you know, from top to I think seventh in in the league is is is pretty close, really. So um, yeah, we've got to give it our best and we've got to make sure that we're as prepared as we can be and that we show the fight and the desire that the the fans deserve to to finish the season as table as we can.

SPEAKER_01 2:04

And despite the geographical distances between the two, there's actually quite a lot of Bristol City links with Newcastle at the moment in the dugout and on the pitch, isn't there?

SPEAKER_00 2:12

Yeah, of course. I think um, you know, they're obviously a long way from us, but um, you know, it's we played them in pre-season as well, and we obviously had a a tough game up there, which you know, we conceded an equaliser in the last minute, which was you know really disappointing from our point of view. But um, you know, we've had some close games with them this season, and um, you know, they're under good form and uh they're in good form, sorry, under Tanya. So we've got to make sure that we don't give them any freebies on Sunday and we make them you know work hard and and grind us down if they want to win the game. But there's opportunities we're gonna have to hurt Newcastle, and you know, we've trained really well this week, so I'm I'm looking forward to the game on Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 2:48

What is management like uh in WSL2? Is it is it quite a collective unit that you are quite chatty with each other away from the pitch, or is it very much each your own, no one talks to each other?

SPEAKER_00 3:00

I think look, there's a lot of managers who have been in the game a long time. So I think it's uh look, we have we have close connections for sure. I think, you know, to bring it to life for you when we played uh Birmingham uh the other week, Amy said to me after the game, Well, happy birthday. She says, I was gonna text you, but I wouldn't have meant it, so I didn't. So that's all I'd say it today instead. So that probably sums up um what it's like. But then, you know, we're also really lucky to I think have the support for the group that we have, you know. We had that penalty given against us against Durham. I had four managers message me to, you know, almost check in and kind of question, you know, the the decision and just kind of yeah, express a little bit of support, I think, to, you know, I think, yeah, how frustrated we were that day. But um, yeah, I think look, it's uh it's a group of people that I think have known each other a long time and and care for each other, but ultimately, yeah, we want to win the game on Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 3:51

And from a player perspective, you obviously you've got a few players in your within your squad who probably have set themselves goals in terms of the the goal tally for the end of the season and trying to get towards that top goal scorer role. How key a role does that play in these these final two matches?

SPEAKER_00 4:04

Yeah, it's about mindset and mentality for me. I think you know, as a team, we've got our own targets as to what we want to achieve the next few games. But of course, we've got a number of players that can also win the golden boot. We've got players up there for assists, and ultimately ultimately it's about making sure that those are used as drivers, um, that they're not they're not stressors. We have to make sure that it's uh it's a motivation, and you know, this team wants to work hard for each other and it wants to perform for each other, and um, you know, hopefully we can get uh a few assists for certain people and a few goals on something that'd be even better. But ultimately, it's about making sure the team is successful. And I think if you asked every player, they'd say that as well. But as a manager, it's also really pleasing for me to to see players up there because it means you know, we've created a lot this year. Um, you know, if I'm honest, I want us to be even more ruthless than we have been, but um absolutely we have to use that as a motivation and an additional motivation over the next couple of weeks to make sure we finish um the best way that we can.

SPEAKER_01 5:01

And a last word on Ashton Gate, and and or this weekend, hopefully playing in the sunshine, but a last word on Ashton Gate because moving on into next season, how key is it that that stadium becomes a fortress, and that is almost like a guarantee of points when you when you're at home?

SPEAKER_00 5:15

Yeah, absolutely. I think you know, we need um you know, fans behind us, and we need ultimately teams to fear coming to Ashton Gate. And I think, you know, certainly um for most of the season, you know, I can think of maybe one or two games, but um, you know, for 85% of the games we've played at Ashton Gate, I think we perform really well there. Um we've had some really good results, we've had some really good performances, and it makes such a difference having fans behind us. You know, we want to make sure that as a club that we're doing fan activations, that we're doing all we can to, you know, to get more people to come and watch because you know, I think if people came and watched, they'd come back, I think they'd enjoy the product and they they'd enjoy what women's football is. So um, you know, the club are really passionate about doing that, and Mercury 13 are really passionate about driving fan engagement and making sure that we provide a product for people to what that people want to come and watch. Um, and then absolutely it's our job as staff and players to make sure that we provide that on a match day and people enjoy watching our games and you know they're exciting and they're fun and and they want to come back. And I think um, you know, if we can get to that point, um, you know, I think we enjoy it as players and fans playing in front of our home fans and the fans enjoy the day out as well.

SPEAKER_01 6:23

Hopefully the roses don't tear up the pitch too badly the the day before.

SPEAKER_00 6:27

Yeah, I'll be going to the game on Saturday too, so I'll be uh I'll be watching, but I'm sure uh keeping an eye on that pitch.

SPEAKER_01 6:34

Um Charlotte's lovely, thank you so much. Um good luck for this weekend.

SPEAKER_00 6:37

Thank you, Jack.

SPEAKER_02 6:38

Hi Charlotte, how are you?

SPEAKER_00 6:40

Hey Dan, I'm well, thank you. How are you?

SPEAKER_02 6:42

Not too bad, thank you. Obviously, with like such a big gap between games, I imagine most of your sort of reflections this season you'll be saving for after these two games. But have you been able to kind of take stock a little bit in these three weeks of the season that's already come before? But it's on and off the pitch been like a very busy few months, hasn't it?

SPEAKER_00 7:01

Yeah, it's been honestly an absolute whirlwind. I think it's uh it's probably hard to explain to people who've not been in the building how much change we've seen. Um, but change in a really good way. I think managing change is really difficult for players and for staff. You know, we've had a huge amount um of new staff come in. We've obviously had over the course of the season a lot of new players come in. So um, you know, as as fun as it's been, it's been really challenging as well. You know, it's it's absolutely not been easy. And I have to credit the staff too, who've worked incredibly hard and the players as well, who, you know, have been have been fantastic for us. Um, I think you know, we've done, we've obviously you know reflected. I think it's really important that when the time is right in the offseason, that we do a real deep dive as to the things that we're happy with and the things that maybe we need to adapt for next season. Um, I think there's been things I've been really, really pleased with and um there's things that I still think we need to ramp up and um you know we need to take to the next level. But it's a journey and it's a process, and I think everybody at this football club understands that that um you know you can't buy overnight success in this league. You have to build and you have to build processes and you have to build systems and you have to um, you know, you have to all be aligned in terms of what that looks like and how long that takes. And um, as I said, I think we've made some real good progress, but there's also areas that we absolutely need to continue to develop um, you know, to get us back to the WSR.

SPEAKER_02 8:26

I know you said it's positive change, but is there a bit of you that's I guess hoping and maybe looking forward to a season next year where you your focus can be more so on that football and just using that experience you've gained this year, but focus on matters on the pitch entirely?

SPEAKER_00 8:39

Yeah, I think we've used um, you know, we've gained a lot of experiences this year, absolutely. I think um, you know, I can't tell you how different the club looks, to be honest, it in terms of the changes and and the investment in infrastructure and workforce has been so important to help get this club to to where we want to get to. Um, you know, and absolutely it takes time for for teams to gel and connect and um you know build the foundations that they need because ultimately, you know, this league is so tough. Um it's so tough and it's so close. And you know, decisions, um, you know, small decisions make big differences across the course of the season. So yeah, look, we uh, you know, we this thing's like I said that we're really pleased with these areas that we we know that we're a little short in at the minute and we need to develop um probably both on and off the pitch. Um, you know, but I think the off-season is the time to reflect that and make sure that we've got real clarity once everyone's had a bit of breathing space and time to, you know, really, really reflect on on what and why. Um, and then I think we'll be in a really good place to plan ahead and make sure that we continue to build on the good work that we've done this season.

SPEAKER_02 9:45

In terms of that sort of motivation for these last two, I I know football managed to hate the phrase anyway when it's on the beach and things like that, but when you're coming back for literally two games in that short block after a break, how easy is it to lift a group for that? Or are they or they will jump in at the bit anyway to finish strong?

SPEAKER_00 9:59

Yeah, they're you know, I asked them on on Tuesday, you know, what what is our motivation for the next two games? What what you know what is going to you know get us motivated? And you know, I I didn't need to ask that question. You know, the answers I got back and um you know the discussions that we had were were exactly what I wanted to hear. And it's really important to us that we finish as high up as we can in this league, that we show the level we can be at. Um, you know, we know we need to continue and um continue to improve and you know we we need to pick up more points against teams that in and around where we are and above us. Um Newcastle is a great opportunity for us to showcase that. And you know, for me, Sheffield United have probably been, along with It Twitch, one of the most improved teams for the second half of the season. So that'll also be a really tough test. So um it's a mentality piece for us, you know. Newcastle, we know will be aggressive, they'll, you know, they're in in good form and they'll come down and want to like us end the season highly um because they'll have big expectations to go up next year as well. So uh we have to show that we can compete, we have to show the progress we've made. And um, yeah, I think look, the girls are incredibly motivated to do that.

SPEAKER_02 11:04

Makes the summer a lot more enjoyable, I imagine, when you've got to come in back into preseason as well, if you can finish with that to bat wins.

SPEAKER_00 11:09

100%. And um that's what we have to expect of ourselves, you know. We've we we know we can still expect and we can still want to to compete and and be the very, very best whilst knowing where we're at, you know. We do have you know humility and we have perspective and we know, you know, where we are at. Um and we like I said, we know um the areas that we need to continue to develop, but it's also fine to have high expectations and um high standards, and you know, I want to see a really good complete performance from us this weekend. We've trained really well this week, and uh ultimately we we have to make sure we apply that at the weekend.

SPEAKER_02 11:44

In terms of team use and availability, you've got a pretty much fully fit squad to pick from?

SPEAKER_00 11:49

Yeah, we're we're pretty much full house. We've got um Novicki, um, she's still rehabbing from a hamstring injury, uh, and Emily Mott also still rehabbing um an injury as well. So, other than those two, we've got everybody available and and fighting fit ready to go.

SPEAKER_02 12:03

In terms of getting people back, has it been a bit easier this time around? International breaks we've spoken to you and people have literally landed 10 minutes before we've spoken to you, sort of thing.

SPEAKER_00 12:11

Yeah, yeah, it's obviously with the breaks being a little bit longer. Um, you know, it allows you a full week of prep with the players, and they obviously then get a bit of time off too, which I think is important for the international players. Um, you know, I'm not sure the non-internationals would agree. I don't think they're enjoying these breaks as much, uh, given how long they are. But yeah, ultimately it's allowed us, you know, more time together as a team to to plan for this game. And um, yeah, to have everybody come through the break um and perform at the level that they did in the break was was good, but to have everybody back fit is uh is equally is pleasing for me.

SPEAKER_02 12:44

Best of luck on Sunday.

SPEAKER_00 12:45

Thank you, Dan.

SPEAKER_03 12:47

Hello Charlotte.

SPEAKER_00 12:48

Hello, Andrew, how are you?

SPEAKER_03 12:50

I'm very well, thank you. Have you you've been enjoying the sunshine all this week and the training sessions, I imagine?

SPEAKER_00 12:55

Yeah, it's been it's been lovely. It's a real change from what we've had for the last four months, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03 13:00

So yeah, absolutely. Did you um get to see any games during the international break?

SPEAKER_00 13:05

I watched a few, yeah. I didn't go away to any. Um yeah, we uh we were pretty busy here to be honest, reviewing and planning and um, you know, looking ahead to to the end of the season and and making sure we had everything in place for the offseason. So yeah, it's been it's been pretty busy here, but of course we always watch um the games that our players are involved in, and if not the full games, we get you know clips from the analysts. So um yeah, it's been good to see everyone do so well this break.

SPEAKER_03 13:31

Yeah, I I only saw the final with Lexi uh doing uh stuff on the wing there, which would which look really good. Does is there anybody else that kind of stood out for you that when you were watching you particularly enjoyed their contribution to their national side?

SPEAKER_00 13:47

Uh well I think you've got to mention Sophie Ingle, right? 150 caps. I think that's an incredible achievement. So really pleased for her. Obviously, Wales had a really good camp good campaign. I think the youngsters for um for England, obviously, with the 23s going and winning their tournament, is is always pleasing. Uh, and then we've had other players go, you know, Cammie went obviously away and and Daft went away. So we've had quite a few um players away, really. So yeah, for me, look, it's always nice when players come back and they're they're in good moods and they've had good camps. I think it it makes a real difference to come back in for the last two games of the season.

SPEAKER_03 14:19

Uh so after the match on uh Sunday, there's going to be the presentation of you know, player of the year and young player of the year and that sort of thing. I know that you that young players is a particular interest of yours. I'm not going to ask you who who you would pick, because I don't think you'll tell me. But are there other people who maybe might not be in the running that you would like to mention from the youth setup?

SPEAKER_00 14:43

Um I I mean I don't actually know who is in the running, to be honest, Andrew, because I don't vote on it. So uh look, I think ultimately, you know, we want to make sure that we provide opportunities for young players. I think we've we've seen young players do well for us this season. Um, you know, we've actually had Izzy back in training, Izzy Herbard back in training with us this week, which has been amazing because she's obviously been out injured for a long time since we played uh I think it was Ipswich she got she got injured in, uh, which is it was a long, long time ago, November. Um so she's rehabbed a long time and had her having her back this week has been really pleasing. Um obviously Isla plaking her debut this year has been great for us. Um again, unfortunately, got injured, which has been disappointing. But we've got a lot of young players in our team, and um, you know, you even you likes of you know your Marys and your Lexis that they're still young players. Um, I think it's easy to forget like they're almost seniors in this group, but um yeah, to have them in, and obviously Vera coming in alone has been excellent for us. Um Jesse coming in um on loan has has added um you know some important goals for a second half of the season. So young players can play a really important part in teams and and they certainly do in ours, and we've got to make sure that we continue that tradition.

SPEAKER_03 15:55

Is is Izzy available then for the weekend?

SPEAKER_00 15:58

She's not available, she'll be in the squad, um, but she was not available to start the game.

SPEAKER_03 16:02

Okay. I hope she's there because um I do vote in these things and I voted for her goal as a champagne moment of the season.

SPEAKER_00 16:10

So she'll be there for sure.

SPEAKER_03 16:12

Okay, well, hopefully I'll win that and so shall we. So so will she, rather. Um so this is I know you don't look at the league table, that's not a thing you look at, but I did. And uh I noticed that if you win this one, you go above Newcastle. Does that matter?

SPEAKER_00 16:26

Uh it of course it matters, you know. Of course it matters. I think you know, I said this to the group that I'm a real believer that where you finish in the league is a reflection of where you are as a team. Um in saying that, I think we've been really hard done by with some some real disappointing decisions, you know, even that the the non-penalty against Durham, we win that game with fourth, right? It's a it's a different feel, and and these things are important. But yeah, when I look across the course of the season and we've had some real tough decisions go against us that I feel have cost us a lot of points. I don't think the table does reflect where we are as a group, but ultimately that is where we are. So um, you know, we have to swallow that and and accept that. And you know, it's down to us now to make sure that we give everything we've got for the fans for the next two games to finish as high up the high up the table as we possibly can.

SPEAKER_03 17:15

But I mean there's nothing in that, right? It's just mistakes that people have made.

SPEAKER_00 17:21

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 17:22

Yeah, yeah. So next year, by the law of averages, you'll have a better season than that.

SPEAKER_00 17:27

We should have a fantastic season, Andrew.

SPEAKER_03 17:32

Yeah, amazing. Okay. Um I um I was wondering about the the the kind of because in the January um you won manager of the month because of the unbeaten run and well the job you were doing. Um is is next year, um aside from the officials' decisions, is next year about consistency fundamentally?

SPEAKER_00 17:52

It's about growth for me. I think um, yeah, look, we you know, the the difference between good and great teams is consistency, absolutely. I think um when we've been good, we've been really, really good. Um, but we have to make sure that we can show the best of ourselves for um, you know, as much of the season as possible. I think I'm really pleased with some of the work we've done this season. We've we've built a hell of a lot. I think, you know, like I said to Dan earlier, it's really hard to comprehend when you're not in the building how much change has happened on and off the pitch for players and staff. Um, you know, and that is really, really hard to manage, even from a from a senior leadership point of view. You know, there's been there's been so much change, but there's been so much growth. And I really, I honestly am so proud of of this club and and how much we've we've done this season. And again, people from the outside they won't know, but from where we were, you know, when I walked in the door at the start of or middle of July last year to where we are now, the growth that I've seen across departments is is incredible, really, and it's really inspiring. And I think, yeah, for us next season, we've you know, we've built a foundation, we've got a year under our belts, and we have to continue to grow and get better, and we have to make sure that we take more points off teams around us, we have to make sure we're more consistent, um, we have to make sure we concede less goals, I think is a priority for us, of course, next season. Um, but we have to keep growing, we have to keep best getting better, and we have to keep getting more out of the players and and helping make the players better. Um, because of course you can invest and you can bring players in, but ultimately I really believe that you've got to make the players better that you have to, because that's our job as coaches.

SPEAKER_03 19:23

Um okay, we're going to return to that conversation, no doubt, in the future. But uh on Sunday it's Newcastle, and I believe it's Tanya Roxaby's first uh return to Ashton Gate since she left the club five years ago. Um, how impressed are you with the job that she's doing at Newcastle?

SPEAKER_00 19:38

Yeah, she's done a good job. They've um, you know, she obviously went in and they um they were on a really tough run. Um, and she's gone in and stabilised the team, and I think she's you know got the best out of some players. I think you know Jordan Knobs has had a really good season and she's she's got a lot of important goals for Newcastle and she's won them a number of points. So um they're in good form, absolutely, and they're they're physical, they run, they press, they're aggressive. Um so we've got to really make sure we show our quality on Sunday and that we expose areas that can hurt Newcastle. Um but of course, look, Tanya Tanya's a a good coach and a good human, so I'm I'm not surprised to see the job that she's doing there. Um, but equally I want to make sure that we have the three points on Sunday.