Nobbs warns ‘fearless’ Wales will go on attack against England
Jordan Nobbs knows England are a team that plenty of countries fear playing but has warned it would be a huge mistake to believe Wales are one of them.
Nobbs missed England’s successful Shebelieves Cup campaign because of injury, but will slot straight back into the starting line-up for the World Cup qualifier in Southampton in manager Phil Neville’s first competitive game in charge.
Having risen to second in the world rankings in her absence, the Arsenal forward knows England are a team that others worry about facing, but she is expecting Wales to play without that fear because of the rivalry between the two nations.
“We know we are a scalp that other teams want to take these days and we know teams fear us,” said Nobbs. “It’s great that we have that reputation, but that does not mean we can just turn up and win, especially in a game against Wales.
“We have worked really hard on our defensive organisation and have risen up the rankings over the last few years, but we have now been given the freedom to express ourselves offensively.
“I hope teams are frightened of that, anything that gives us that little extra edge, you’re always looking for that, but this game has a derby feel and we have to make sure we are in the right place to deal with that. I don’t think complacency is something we are worried about, but you have to be aware of the dangers. It was frustrating for me to miss the Shebelieves Cup, but the girls were phenomenal and it’s great to see young players emerging and doing well out there.
“I don’t like missing any England games, but I needed to get over my injury to make sure I’m sharp for this.”
Wales, who have never qualified for a major tournament, currently top Group A with 10 points, one point ahead of England, who have played a game less.
But their star player, Seattle Reign’s Jess Fishlock, does not want her team-mates to be overawed by the emotion of playing their home nations rivals in front of a large crowd at St Mary’s Stadium.
“This game is huge for us but it’s not do or die,” she said. “We have four games to get to where we want to get to and if we put everything into this game it might derail what we’ve got to do next.
“I hope we don’t get too emotionally involved in it because that derails what you want to do. But I hope we have enough passion to get something out of the game, and I fully believe we will because we’re Welsh and that’s something we do very well.”