Charlotte Healy Press Conference | Sheffield United vs Bristol City

Charlotte Healy met the media today ahead of City's visit to Sheffield United for the final game of the season in Barclays WSL2. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:38

Talk to me about the Newcastle game then. The the emotions of a of a game like that and the way it finishes.

SPEAKER_00 0:44

Yeah, I think the game kind of played out how we thought it was going to. I thought it'd be a close game against you know two good teams. Um I felt in the first half that like structurally we're good, but we just didn't really show enough quality in in moments. And um I thought they played some really good football in the first half. And I felt that it was a really even game. You know, we were disappointed with the goal we conceded. Um we spoke about you know shots from in and around the edge of the box and the threat they had with that. And I felt we could have defended that better in the moment, but um, you know, the the goal was brilliant and it was great timing for us that we've scored, and we've gone in at one-one. And um, yeah, I think look, we we spoke before the game about exploiting the bat line and and we just didn't do it enough. I think it was the first time we went in behind them when we scored, and it was a case of showing these it's that simple, you know, get on the half turn, play forward, get beyond the lines, and when we do that, we knew we could hurt them. And I thought second half Newcastle really pumped up the pressure a little bit, certainly the first half of the first half. Um, you know, and and there was bits that we we had to we had to tactically adjust a little bit. And I thought Jordan Knobb showed real quality in the game. I thought she, you know, she was she was brilliant and has been all year for Newcastle, and we had to adapt slightly with how we dealt with her in the pocket because it became quite transitional. The game it felt like every time we turned the ball over, they were just shelling it in behind us. And of course, the the pace and the power they have up front, that's a threat. Um so for me, I I was really pleased with the mentality of the group and the quality of chances they've we've created. Um, you know, our XG at the end of the game is nearly four, which is which is pretty high. Um, and I think shows the the quality of chance that we've created in that second half. And yeah, of course, I think I said after the game, when you have a really good chance, you're disappointed. But when you have two and three and four, you start to think, you know, is this not going to be our day? Um so yeah, to to find the winner in the way that we did, and um, you know, was really important. We've been we've been a threat of set pieces all year. And I was saying to the girls earlier when I came into Bristol, one of the things that I I showed the um the people who were recruiting for the manager's role was was the importance of set plays and how poor Bristol were at them. I think they conceded the most last year and scored the least. Um, you know, in this year we've we've scored the most and conceded the least. So already, like it's a it's a huge improvement from where we were to where we wanted to be. And um, I think we've been a real threat from set plays this year, and they've been an important part of the training week and what we do. So yeah, delighted to find a way to win it because um, you know, on reflection, we've not we've not picked up enough points against teams in and around where we are, and you know, some of that is is performance, some of it is is decisions that have gone against us, but um yeah, to to find a win, a way to win that game was really important for what we're trying to build here.

SPEAKER_01 3:32

Talk to me about Jesse as well, because eight goals in the season now, no, no player will ever be happy with whatever amount of goals they get. But actually, going forward, do you think that you hope this will be like a breakthrough season in terms of pushing forward and getting more goals in years to come?

SPEAKER_00 3:47

Yeah, 100%. I think um, you know, Jesse has to make sure she continues to do what she's good at. You know, she's got uh lightning pace, she can finish um off both feet, and she she practices really hard to be able to do that. So she has to make sure that she gets herself in those areas because that's a real strength. But she's also started to develop her game as well now, and I think, you know, you look at the chance for uh for her header, um, you know, she'll be disappointed to miss it, of course. But it actually starts with her holding the ball up and switching play out to Lexi. And um, you know, she's she's added more of that to her game uh in the second half of the season for us. Um so for her, yeah, it's about making sure that when she gets in those moments, she's really clinical. But her attitude has been superb and she's really keen to learn and develop, and she's always doing extras and IDPs, and that's the mentality that you know we want to have from the players in here. And uh she's been a fantastic addition for us.

SPEAKER_01 4:40

Well, she needs a few goals tomorrow just to get herself in the in the golden boot contention fingers goal for Saturday, even get herself in the game. Yeah, I was gonna say that's quite a nice dynamic to have on your team, though. Everyone, everyone wants to put the ball in the back of the net. Um before we talk on Sheffield, talk about Sheffield. Obviously, a few teams now have started putting out their retained lists and having those type of discussions. How do you find that as the person in charge having those conversations? And how many months ago were you already starting to think this is the squad I want going forward?

SPEAKER_00 5:11

Yeah, it's really difficult because I think you know it's really easy to let the club do it, but I think it's important as a manager that that you do it because um, you know, we've worked with these players all year and they've uh you know, they've been fantastic and they've given everything. And I think it's you know really important that um, you know, when people do exit the club, that has to happen. It's part of football. Um, that you know, they can they can leave knowing the contribution that they've given and they leave knowing that they've been cared for and that the support from the club is there. I think that's that's really important. So um, yeah, look, we we have conversations, we try and plan window to window as to uh where the squad is at and where we can move the needle and and what that might look like. But um, yeah, I mean it's always it it it honestly is the worst part of the job. Of course, it is because you know you you pump your emotions and your and your time into a group of people and and you build something special. And you know, for me, my first season as a manager, I've loved working with this group. It's been full of great people. So, you know, to see people leave is always difficult, but it's uh it is football and that and that's what happens. And you know, squads have to have to continue to evolve and develop, um, you know, and and a consequence of that is that that people leave. So yeah, it's difficult, but I think um the most important thing is how you deliver that how you deliver it and how you do it.

SPEAKER_01 6:29

Whether they are staying or going, everyone will want to end the season on a high, shuffled unit are in the way of that on Saturday. Talk to me about them as as a team, because the league table would tell you one story, but uh as a squad, what have you made of them this season?

SPEAKER_00 6:42

Yeah, I think um second half of the season, you know, when when Steve's come in, they've you know they had a real bounce and they've they've played some really good football. I thought Luke did a terrific job as well when he was interim manager there, and I think they've punched above their weight. Um, and we know we spoke this morning about you know, we were so motivated, motivated at the weekend to finish with a win at Ashton Gate to make sure we could celebrate with our fans. Um and I've no doubt that they will have the same mentality this week. You know, they've had a difficult few results, um, but we have to make sure that you know that we don't give them an easy ride on Saturday, that we take the game to them, that we're brave and we cause them problems. And and as I always say, we make them defend because uh, you know, if we can show our quality, we're gonna create chances in this game. We've currently the second highest goal scorers, you know. Hopefully, if we can score a few, we finish the the league as top goal scorers. Um, that's you know another important metric for us in terms of where we want to be longer term. So uh we have to make sure that we show our quality on Saturday and we make it a really difficult day for Chef United.

SPEAKER_01 7:42

And I know ultimately you would have loved to have had a few more points in the board and be and be closer to that playoff picture, but ultimately, when you look back on the season, if you if you do end up in fourth and get that win tomorrow, how do you think you'll view the season as a whole? Do you think you'll view it as a building block towards more to come?

SPEAKER_00 7:57

Absolutely. That's that's exactly what it is. I think as a group, we've learned so much. Um, off the pitch, the the club has developed no end. Um, I can't, in all honesty, the club's unrecognisable from what it was at the start of the season, and and that's really positive. But managing through that change is really difficult for staff and for players in terms of continuity and and what that looks like. But for me, I think we've made huge progress. And you know, the data that we looked at when we started the season from last season compared to where we are now, we can see um areas we've really developed. We can also see real weaknesses of of our season that we have to make sure that our priorities for us to develop next year. Um, but as a whole, I think you look, it's important to us that we finish fourth. That's where we want to finish the season. We know we can't be we can't finish any higher than that. So that has to be our ultimate aim for for Saturday. Um, because I think yeah, it shows growth. It's it's not where we wanted to finish the season, but um, you know, it's still growth, and we have to continue to make sure that we're getting closer to being WSL ready as a club, um, you know, and finishing the season as high as we can. Um, and the metrics that we will look at are going to be really important.

SPEAKER_01 9:08

Thank you, Charlotte, for your time today. Apologies, my labrador was quite loud for that sense. I had to mute myself. Um whatever happens on Saturday, enjoy it and we'll uh we'll chat postseason, I'm sure.

SPEAKER_00 9:17

Thank you, Jack. Take care.

SPEAKER_01 9:19

Cheers.

SPEAKER_04 9:20

Afternoon, Charlotte.

SPEAKER_00 9:21

Hi, Dan.

SPEAKER_04 9:22

Um I was I was gonna say that, but you already touched on Jesse, so I thought I I've got to ask this that bit of a cliche in football, you know, never fall in love with a lone player. There will be loads of city fans desperate to see her in Bristol City colours again.

SPEAKER_03 9:35

Yeah. Has any have any conversations been held in that capacity? Is there optimism that that's something that could be done heading into next season?

SPEAKER_00 9:42

Yeah, I think look, ultimately it's it's up to Arsenal. She's an Arsenal player. Um, I think you know, they will have conversations with Jessie around what they want in terms of her development plans. And um, you know, absolutely, we've loved having Jessie here, you know, on and off the pitch. She's been fantastic. Um, you know, and if if uh a WSL2 loan is an option for her next year and that's what Arsenal want for her, then you know, absolutely, along with probably every other club with the, you know, with the uh with the wanting to bring her back. So um yeah, we've made our feelings pretty clear as to how important she's been for us and what a good person she's been, and and actually how much she's developed during her time here, I think has been key. And I and I know she's loved it as well, and and the f and know the fans have loved her. I saw that on uh on Sunday. So um, yeah, it's been a fantastic lone move for her, absolutely. But you're right, Dan, you can't fall in love with a lone player because you never know if they're coming back or not. And uh I've no doubt she'll be in high demand after uh um after her numbers that she's put up with this season. But yeah, if there's an opportunity to bring her back, then absolutely um, you know, that wouldn't be off the table for us.

SPEAKER_04 10:45

Perfect example, really, of the value, I guess, in that market as well. I know it's the market you've dipped and out of every head coach we've spoken to. You might not get them permanently, but they can have such an impact on your season to have those young players on loan.

SPEAKER_00 10:56

Yeah, absolutely. And I think it's it's really difficult for young players in WSL2 now. I think the loan market looks so different because um, you know, it's about opportunity for young players. But you have, you know, you look at the the players who are on the pitch on Sunday, you've got Jordan Knobbs in there, you've got Sophie Ingall in there, you've got Demi Stokes in there, you've got some, you know, real experienced players um, you know, in WSL2. So actually, so naturally it makes opportunities for younger players even harder. But it's really important um for me personally, it's my background is working with with young players and and making sure that we provide opportunity for young players. And I think you know, we have to get them to a level of performance, but then ultimately it's about providing opportunity. And you know, if they're putting up the numbers and they're delivering on the pitch, I think you have to play them. And um, you know, she's she's done a really good job of of fighting Rio for that number nine space and um you know two very, very different forwards, but both have put up great numbers this year, and you know, to have three players in the final season in the running for you know golden boot winner, I think is uh is a testament to the group. And and like I said, we're really pleased with the amount of goals that we've scored this year, and a lot of players have contributed to that. I think you know, if we can outscore Birmingham at the weekend, we could finish top goal scorers in WSL2. So that element we're really, really pleased with. We we just haven't kept enough clean sheets and we've not defended well enough in moments, and that's going to be an area for us that we have to make sure that um we continue to evolve and develop for next season.

SPEAKER_04 12:23

I was gonna say it's an interesting stat when you mentioned that because I feel when we've spoken before and after games quite often. You've you've mentioned that ruthlessness at the top end of the pitch, but like you have scored so many goals. Is it at the other end where you feel there probably that bit of extra work to be done is that in the market as well?

SPEAKER_00 12:39

I think it's both. I think look ultimately, you know, you can always bring new players in, absolutely. But I think um ultimately it's about developing what we've got as well. That's really important here that players get better whilst they're with us and they're learning. Um, and you can't you can't build roam in a day, right? You have to make sure um you know you continue to evolve and develop, and I I think we've done that really well. I think, you know, on the whole, I'm pleased with the the style of football we've played and how effective we've been, and you know, the consequence of how we've played with the ball has meant at times we've been um we've been caught out transitionally, and and those are areas that absolutely we have to tighten up for next season. But I think on the whole, look, we're we're really pleased with our performances and um you know absolutely we'd have loved to have got promoted, but I think uh you know there's been we've had some really tough decisions go against us, which have cost us an awful lot of points, so um it's hard to be too too uh too harsh on the team, but I think you know we also hold our hands up and know that there's been some games that we've not got the results that we needed to, and you know, and that was on us, and we have to be accountable and we have to learn, but we have to evolve and we have to get better, and we know the teams in this league that are the successful ones are the ones that built over a period of time. We've not done that yet, but I've no doubt that you know we've made huge strides and we're heading in the right direction, and we have to continue to evolve.

SPEAKER_04 13:58

Well, it's basically about the general standard of the division this year. It's been a little while since you've been in the WSL2 or the championship as it as it was. Um, it from what I've seen, it's not so competitive from top to bottom, and you can see that in the promotion rates. Is that how it's felt being in it?

SPEAKER_00 14:12

Yeah, honestly, yeah, it has even you know, even to you know, the highs of winning your game on Sunday and you check the scores and you see, you know, it's Richard beating Birmingham 3-0, and yeah, it's an incredible result for them. Um, you know, you just you can't write anybody off in this league. It is every game is tough for different reasons, you know, whether it's surface, travel, um, you know, opposition, but whatever it might be, there's so many things that that really do play a big part in this league. So um, yeah, it's incredibly competitive. It's so different to the WSL. Uh, it's put it's there's probably been one of my biggest surprises is how different the leagues are, um, you know, how direct it can be, how how transitional the game can be. Um, you know, it's really hard to control a game in WSL2 um because of because of how teams play in it. But ultimately, you know, that's our challenge now is to find ways of of being successful and and building a game model that allows us to create what we've created, but but be a little bit more secure defensively.

SPEAKER_04 15:10

In terms of Saturday's game team news-wise, how how's the squad looking?

SPEAKER_00 15:14

Yeah, really good. Uh, we've got everybody available, um, other than Vicky, uh, who obviously is is managing a long-term injury, uh, and Emily Much, who is also managing a long-term injury, but everybody else back fit, uh, which is great for us.

SPEAKER_04 15:29

How does like looking beyond Saturday, I guess, when you get to House of the Bank holiday weekend and you have that chance to decompress? What does the start of that summer look like from you? Do you get a proper break or is it straight into planning for next season?

SPEAKER_00 15:40

Yeah, I think more reviewing uh next week, to be honest, Dan, like it'll be a case of kind of yeah, deflating and and um, you know, making sure that everyone's got time to breathe and really have some time and space to reflect on the season. Like I said, for the for the staff, there has been so much change. Um, so many new staff come in. We've got some real good practitioners come and join us, which is really exciting. Um, but it's about consolidating the season, what were we happy with, what worked, uh, what do we need to improve? Um, how do we make sure that we're even more efficient next year? And and ultimately, as a staffing team, how do we move closer to operating at WSL standard? That's uh that's where this group needs to go. And yeah, we've got a lot of work um to do to make sure that we're ready for the for the start of the the new season. And you know, after we've done our planning and reviewing, staff will have time to um to go away and make sure that they can enjoy some time off with family and and recuperate because it's a long odd season and it's it's pretty brutal, and it's a lot of travel. So um, yeah, it's important everyone get some time off, and then um, yeah, we'll be back start of June fighting fit.

SPEAKER_04 16:44

Well, we look forward to that. Best of luck Saturday.

SPEAKER_00 16:47

Thank you, Dan.

SPEAKER_05 16:49

Hello, Charlotte.

SPEAKER_00 16:50

Hello, Andrew. How are you?

SPEAKER_05 16:51

Well, I'm pretty good, thanks. Yeah, I really enjoyed that last minute, Winner. That was great. Um, I have to say though, there's there was kind of that real high there, and then there's this terrible realisation that that's the last game at Ashton Gate for some time, which is sad. But we'll get through it. Um I uh the thing that I I really enjoyed watching Jordan Knopps, obviously you did as well, although she was uh playing for the other team. Is that the best performance you've seen, or among the best from an opposing player at Ashton Gate this season?

SPEAKER_00 17:22

Yeah, it's got to be up there. I think I think it has. I think look, we knew we knew her quality, her physicality was probably what impressed me the most, how how much she can still get around the pitch and how much goes through her. We we knew it before the game, we spoke about it as a group. Um, but yeah, she was uh she was pulling strings in there for sure. And I think I think we've seen that, you know, she's single-handedly, in my opinion, won them points um over the over the past five, six games. And um, you know, you need real leaders in your group if you want to be successful, and I think she's a great example of one for Newcastle.

SPEAKER_05 17:54

Um asking for a friend, how long's their contract?

SPEAKER_00 17:57

No idea.

SPEAKER_05 18:00

Um someone at the other end of the career is uh Leah O'Leary, who's obviously on loan at Sheffield United. She can't play, presumably on Saturday. Um, have you been following how she's getting on there?

SPEAKER_00 18:09

Yeah, we've got a staff team here who obviously manage all our loans and make sure that uh you know we get data, we get clips, and we get opportunities to watch all of our players that have gone out on loan this year. Obviously, Tiana's gone to Plymouth and done really well. Um Mal went out to Ipswich. So um, yeah, we've got a staff team here who who manage all that and collate all that and and make sure that yeah, we keep tabs on on the players that go out.

SPEAKER_05 18:33

And were they all sent out on loan with a view to maybe coming into the squad next year?

SPEAKER_00 18:37

Yeah, potentially. I think obviously it's uh you know conversations that we'll have with players and agents around game time and opportunities and ultimately what those players want. Um, you know, and then decisions will be made from there.

SPEAKER_05 18:51

Uh so the you've been talking a bit about the golden boot. There's um Amy Andrews and Rhea Hardy on nine, they're playing against each other on Sunday. That's gonna be fun, uh Saturday rather. That's gonna be fun, isn't it?

SPEAKER_00 19:02

Yeah, 100%. I think we're you know we're really pleased with um, like I said, the amount of goals we've scored this year. And you know, I think there's uh there's a few others in our uh in our playing group who haven't um put that to bed yet either. So I'm hoping that uh they score plenty between them and one of them wins it on Saturday, that would be the perfect um yeah, the perfect end to the season for me.

SPEAKER_05 19:23

Yeah, I've got I had a lovely reverie about um they all kind of end up level and then they're all in front of the goal in the last minute and they wonder what to do with it. That's really lovely. Um that hopefully that will happen. Um yeah, so we are coming towards the end of the season, very much so. It finishes on on Saturday. Do you know when we uh with the excitement of next season, when we might we get an announcement regarding season tickets? Do you know?

SPEAKER_00 19:47

I've no idea, to be honest with you. I would assume, obviously, towards the end of the season. Uh I think the men have just put their information out, so I would assume probably over the next couple of weeks.

SPEAKER_05 19:57

Okay. The other thing is I saw a trailer for Ted Lasso season four, and there was Ashton Gate in it. Did you did you know that? No. Oh okay. Well that answers my question then, which is are you going to be in it? Well, it was really weird because they seem to be scoring a goal against uh Bristol City, I assume because it was being played at Ashton Gate, so uh that obviously won't happen. Totally fictitious. You're not going to be in it, but what you are going to be in is the last game of the season on Saturday. And uh I wish you all the best with that.

SPEAKER_00 20:30

Thank you, Andrew.

SPEAKER_02 20:37

Hi Charlotte.

SPEAKER_00 20:38

Hey Matt, how are you?

SPEAKER_02 20:39

Yeah, sorry, it took me a moment or two just to find the unmute button there.

SPEAKER_00 20:42

No worries.

SPEAKER_02 20:43

Uh any holidays booked uh for the coming month?

SPEAKER_00 20:46

Uh I am yeah, I'm going away end of June, so yeah, looking forward to that. About a bit of time before to do some some planning and reviewing. Um and uh yeah, I'm just putting some things in place for next season and then yeah, we'll be going away and uh enjoying some downtime hopefully in the summer.

SPEAKER_02 21:03

And um sort of on the topic of that um you know, we have Mercury version coming in and uh upgrades in professionalism going towards the club, but I'm just looking ahead to pre-season perhaps. Uh might we see the women's side on a uh uh warm weather training camp potentially over the summer?

SPEAKER_00 21:22

Yeah, we're looking at options. I think we're we're assessing um pre-season and what's going to be best for the group and um you know when players are back in, etc. So um there's a number of options at the minute that we're looking at and uh we'll make a decision over the next week or two, I think.

SPEAKER_02 21:38

And uh sticking with pre-season I hope you don't mind me saying uh sort of looking ahead across the how the league table is performing out for the new campaign. It feels like to me at least that resources are going to be the favourite. To the title next season. I know this campaign it was very congested, very competitive around the top. Does that sort of uh determine in the way as to the clubs that you'd be looking to face over the summer? Or no, previously it was very strong with the likes of Arsenal, London City, and uh Newcastle playing against each other. But could you see yourself playing against um one of perhaps teams in the deep levels of the second division? Or do you still want to focus on playing teams in the WSL because that's obviously where you want to be?

SPEAKER_00 22:39

For pre-season, you mean?

SPEAKER_02 22:41

Yes, for pre-season.

SPEAKER_00 22:42

I I think we get a range. I think it's a it's about ultimately preseason is about minutes in the legs, and it's about um testing yourself. And you know, ultimately there's things, different things that we want to get out of different pre-season games. Um, so there'll be some that we want to test ourselves against WSL opposition, there'll be others that we might want to try things out against, um, you know, and there'll be others where we, you know, we need to rotate players through to make sure different players get different minutes in their legs. So um, yeah, we're still kind of building that in terms of pre-season portfolio, but um, you know, I'm very confident we'll have a good mix.

SPEAKER_02 23:16

Okay, and uh we'll go to the South scene now. Um you got the return of Izzy Hebard to the squad's last weekend. Is there any more room in your mind for any more potential Academy graduates to be making the bench against Sheffield United? I know we've seen some across uh some of the cup fixtures Arsenal away in particular. Has uh anyone else um caught your eye and you perhaps want to uh uh present them to the supporters sort of as a preview ahead of next season?

SPEAKER_00 23:46

I think the the main two that we've had in our group obviously is he's been you know contracted this year with with our group. Um Isla Law has also been heavily involved, she's currently out injured. Um so look, we'll see. I'm I'm not gonna announce a squad on a press conference, but um you know it's we we've given a lot of opportunity to a lot of young players this year. And you think of you know Mary Ward's 20 years old, Lexi, you know, still a young player. Um, you know, we've got a lot of young players in our group still that have had a lot of opportunity to play. And and I think for Izzy and for Isla, you know, they would have been you know more involved too had they not picked up their injuries. So um, yeah, we we have to get the balance right, and I think it's really important as a club. We continue to buy provide opportunities for young players, and um, you know, next season that'll be the same.

unknown 24:34

Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 24:35

And I know it's already been touched on earlier, but um uh with the player of the year awards being announced at the end of Newcastle, Emily Simon, Lexi Lloyd Smith picking up successive awards uh over their years with the club. I couldn't help but notice that both are set to be uh out of contract this summer. Have could you give us an insight as to whether negotiations have already begun to sort of extend their stay here or um because they're they're two centrepieces really that uh feels this squad will be built around and two fan favourites to say the very least.

SPEAKER_00 25:15

Yeah, every player who who's out of contract we've already kind of had conversations with. Um, you know, that started a while back. So um, you know, when that when there's news to give, we'll give it. But I think, yeah, look, they've both been really important people and players in our group this year. Um, and I thought they both thoroughly deserved their awards at the weekend.

unknown 25:33

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 25:34

Thank you very much, Charlotte, and all the best for Saturday.

SPEAKER_00 25:37

Thanks everybody. Have a great offseason.