WSL 25/26 | Arsenal v United - 12:30 Sat 10 January

jojojo

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Winter break is over. We've done some shopping, sorted out some paperwork and we're back in action.

Arsenal were expected to be title challengers this year. United were expected to struggle with the extra pressure of mid-week WCL matches. As it is, there's one point between us and we sit in third and fourth place in the WSL.

Both teams need the win. Spurs play Leicester on Sunday and could leapfrog us both if it's a draw.

Match is live on Sky.

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Is it too soon to start worrying? I realize it's only Monday, but....
 
Curious to see if any of our newcomers will get minutes.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Schuller start, certainly make an appearance off the bench. Lundquist is more for the future I feel, she plays only if Jayde isn't fit.

I'm almost more intrigued to see if Barry and Rabjohn are on the bench, particularly as the club has publicly announced their return from respective loans.
 
I wouldn't be surprised to see Schuller start, certainly make an appearance off the bench. Lundquist is more for the future I feel, she plays only if Jayde isn't fit.

I'm almost more intrigued to see if Barry and Rabjohn are on the bench, particularly as the club has publicly announced their return from respective loans.
Do you know how they did as loanees at their clubs?
 
Do you know how they did as loanees at their clubs?
Their fans reckon they'll miss Barry, which is encouraging! I've not seen their matches so I can't say anything first hand.

My guess is that we won't see much of Rabjohn. With Turner and Blundell back and Lundkvist signed, I don't see her getting many chances, even from the bench.

Keira Barry might get some playing time. We haven't signed an obvious direct replacement for Bizet, so there's some scope. Obviously the loading on our players will depend on where we get to in the Cups and the WCL, but Keira could be useful. If she gets on the pitch of course.
 
I wouldn't be surprised to see Schuller start, certainly make an appearance off the bench. Lundquist is more for the future I feel, she plays only if Jayde isn't fit.

I'm almost more intrigued to see if Barry and Rabjohn are on the bench, particularly as the club has publicly announced their return from respective loans.
Agreed about Lundkvist, but I'd be very surprised to see Schuller get the start in her first appearance and after only a week-and-a-half with the squad. I expect Terland to start and for Schuller to maybe come in at half-time if Teri isn't effective, or (perhaps more likely) for a late appearance just to get her feet wet.
 
Their fans reckon they'll miss Barry, which is encouraging! I've not seen their matches so I can't say anything first hand.

My guess is that we won't see much of Rabjohn. With Turner and Blundell back and Lundkvist signed, I don't see her getting many chances, even from the bench.

Keira Barry might get some playing time. We haven't signed an obvious direct replacement for Bizet, so there's some scope. Obviously the loading on our players will depend on where we get to in the Cups and the WCL, but Keira could be useful. If she gets on the pitch of course.
I thought Bizet was going to deliver her own replacement. (Maybe not so funny?)
 
Skinner's press conference:


Hopefully, Ella's injury isn't as nasty as it sounds and she will be back and safely fully fit in a few weeks.

With any luck we do now have cover for Gabby George which is a relief, the defence was looking pretty threadbare earlier in the season.
 
Now that it's Thursday I'm sure that it's not too early to start worrying, as per my question on Monday. Learning that we'll be without Toone is definitely not helping matters....
 
Everybody ready?

Coffee made? Snacks available? TV ready to go?

Just checking - given we're all a bit out of WSL training...
 
I'm ready. Any idea who Drury is on our bench? I'm embarrassed to say I have never heard of her.
 
Arsenal currently with all the momentum, hopefully the injury pause gives us chance to regroup.
 
Phallon manages to smother the ball in a goalmouth scramble. Defence looking very uncomfortable.
 
Just seems a matter of time before Arsenal score. We haven’t had any possession in their half in ages
 
Time for Phallon to have a lie down and the players to have a chat
 
It’s just not good enough that whenever we have a rare opportunity to take the ball into Arsenal’s half we just instantly give the ball away due to sheer sloppiness, every single time. Most teams in the WSL would be giving Arsenal a tougher challenge than this. If I was an Arsenal fan I’d be annoyed that my team isn’t at least 3 goals up by now.
 
Goalless at HT and that's a relief given how dominant Arsenal have been.

We're looking clueless at the moment. Can't stop them getting into the penalty area. Can't string more than two passes together when we've got the ball. We've been lucky with how many chances Arsenal have missed - but then those misses have been the story of Arsenal's season.
 
It’s just not good enough that whenever we have a rare opportunity to take the ball into Arsenal’s half we just instantly give the ball away due to sheer sloppiness, every single time. Most teams in the WSL would be giving Arsenal a tougher challenge than this. If I was an Arsenal fan I’d be annoyed that my team isn’t at least 3 goals up by now.
I understand your frustration. However, we are drawing with the European champions and will go for the jugular after 60 minutes!
 
A bit more promising in the second half. At least we’re asking Arsenal to actually do some defending now.
 
Well we've actually managed to get out of our half a couple of times but Arsenal are seeing an awful lot of the ball in/around our penalty area. Hard to imagine them not scoring at some point as things stand. Question is can we score and change the story.
 
Lea Schuller on for Terland. Awujo on for Rolfo which seems a different kind of swap - maybe to give Park more freedom.
 
Aaarrrrggghh.

Second yellow and Jayde Rivière is off. Hard to argue.
 
Phallon has a lie down and Skinner has a chat with the players.
 
I don’t understand why rivière wasn’t subbed on a yellow. Poor from skinner honestly.
Worse from the player. You adjust your game on a yellow. This idea that you have to sub certain players on a card can be annoying.