Cushing’s troops go for double
MANCHESTER City boss Nick Cushing is determined to reclaim the Continental Cup today after admitting the trophy is “dear to my heart” as he prepares to take on Birmingham City at their Academy Stadium. The City manager, pictured
inset, was speaking after his side claimed their first ever league title last weekend, beating Chelsea Ladies 2-0 and maintaining their unbeaten league run in the process.
The Continental Cup was the first piece of silverware that the club laid their hands on back in 2014 following a 1-0 win over Arsenal Ladies, thanks to a goal from midfielder Izzy Christiansen.
This came in the club’s first year since re-launching as Manchester City Women, and after losing out in the quarterfinal last year, ironically to Arsenal, he is determined to win the trophy back.
So much so, he stressed that if any of his players went out to celebrate following the league win last week, there could be serious consequences.
“I’ve just said to the players that anybody who goes out and enjoys a party will sacrifice their place in the cup final squad,” he said.
“I’ve not hidden the fact that I don’t think we got a fair crack last year to retain the trophy, but this year we’re in the final and it’s in our stadium, so we have to make sure we prepare for a very good Birmingham team.”
Cushing’s reference to not receiving a fair crack to retain the trophy relates to an FA charge that accused the club of fielding an ineligible player in the competition last year. The charge was subsequently thrown out with no proof that City had breached any rules, but not before their quarter-final tie had been postponed away at Arsenal, and then rearranged with little time for either team to prepare.
Regardless, City go into today’s final as overwhelming favourites having gone the whole league campaign, thus far, undefeated,
Midfielder Jill Scott confessed after the league title win that going the rest of the season undefeated was on the team’s mind.
“It was the first thing Nick said in the huddle,” she said. “He’s always thinking about the next thing, and he simply said that we prepare for the cup final now, and also that he wants to go unbeaten, and I’m
sure that will be our target.” As mentioned, Christiansen was the hero when City won the Continental Cup in 2014, and she is in confident mood going into today’s final. Eyes are certainly on City now with the investment made on and off the field, with many expecting them to claim a domestic double. But the pressure is something Christiansen says her teammates thrive on. “It’s something I personally welcome and it’s something this team absorbs really well,” she said. “There’s pressure on us from the club to succeed, but as a group of players we take it with a pinch of salt because we’re very grounded people and work exceptionally hard on and off the pitch. “The success of this team is only going to get better and we’re excited for the future.”