Alessia Russo and Leah Williamson said it was important to set the standards after a month without a game, as we returned with a 5-0 win at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“I’m buzzing, I think it’s always tough after a break but we’ve had a nice build-up of two or three weeks in training now, so we knew it was going to be difficult circumstances, but we knew what we’ve been working on, we knew the standards and we set them today," Alessia told us post-match.
“It helps that we have a fit squad and quality across that," Leah added. "Renee has used it as an opportunity to implement a bit more of her style as well and different things, so you’ve seen it all today which was good. We were fit enough to push each other.”
Both players were also delighted by the permanent appointment of Renee Slegers as our head coach this week.
“We’re really happy," Alessia said. "Obviously she stepped up when we needed her and we’ve built on those 11 games before Christmas. We’ve been learning lots of different stuff, implementing little new bits. She’s been great and now we’ve got that stability going forward so we’re really excited as a team.”
“100 percent," Leah agreed. "She’s brought out the best in a lot of our players like you’ve seen so far and long may it continue.”
Alessia now has 11 goals in her last 12 games, and she won't score many easier than her close-range finish against Palace.
“That’s my job, to be in and around when it falls in the box," she explained. "[Caitlin] Foordy came on and made a difference and got some shots off and they fell to me so I’ve just got to put it into the back of the net in those situations.”
With players of Caitlin's quality coming off the bench, the strength in the depth of the squad is clear, and Leah knows just how hard it is to handle those forwards.
“Well I have to train against them every day! I know their qualities and I think the standard across the squad, the level in competition is so high, that when these players come onto the pitch, hopefully they’ve faced the hardest battle they’re going to face throughout the week before they get here.”
Lastly, there was a message to the supporters from Alessia, who was keen to highlight how helpful the fans have been.
“It was really nice," she said. "We’ve missed them. It’s not nice not playing a game for a while so they were loud as soon as we came out for the warm-up and they always are. We’ve got a massive few games coming up and a big block. We want to keep pushing as a team and they’re part of it with us.”
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