‘It’s dreamland to play in front of 42,000...we must win off the pitch and on it’
QYou’re expecting a 42,000 crowd for your opening Super League game on Sunday against Tottenham, the biggest for an English game since 1920 – and it’s at Stamford Bridge. Excited?
AWhat else can all of us go to work for? It’s a dreamland first game of the season in front of a sell-out crowd. Every single person at the club has worked so hard to make that happen. I’m super excited.
Winning is not enough for me. Winning off the pitch is just as important. To introduce the game to new people – to have an excitement and buzz. This is a really exciting time. To open against Tottenham has a great ring to it and I feel privileged and proud to be leading us into it.
QHow ready are you after a busy summer for some of your players with Women’s World Cup?
AAfter a World Cup you have to integrate players at different times. That’s challenging. But I’m used to doing it. The key parts are they regain freshness.
I’ve hired new people, some of the best experts from around the world. From nutrition to performance managers and sleep experts, we now have the professional expertise they need.
QCould you have done without the scheduling of the recent international matches? England only played Norway on Tuesday…
AYes. Long term, someone somewhere needs to think about the players. It’s something for FIFA to address. After a World Cup they shouldn’t really be going to international training camps.
QYou lost your captain when Karen Carney retired this summer. How difficult has that been for you?
AI lost a beautiful human and I miss her every day. This is the first time I’ve had multiple leaders in the group and it’s extremely difficult to select a captain.
There’s lots of players who can lead our team without wearing the armband. There’s some big shoes to fill. I’m taking my time.
QScotland’s Erin Cuthbert looks like an emerging star for you this season. Does she have leadership qualities?
AOh yeah, she’s a bossy little cow! But what a beautiful human being. Tactically, so evolved for her age. But she’s 21 so it’s important we manage that and look after her.
It’s important she keeps wearing the horrendous mauve tracksuits every day. You have to see the latest one! We have to make sure we don’t put too much expectation on her.