Taylor: We have to be positive

FOOTBALL Gareth Taylor has described himself as a ‘very resilient character’ and emphasised the importance of positivity and self-belief as his City side look to turn their form around.

The Blues, who finished second in the Women’s Super League last season, sit ninth in the table ahead of today’s clash with Aston Villa at the Academy Stadium.

Their most recent WSL outing was last weekend’s 4-0 thrashing at home against champions Chelsea, a fourth defeat in seven league games this term.

That sequence has also included home losses to Tottenham and West Ham and being thumped 5-0 at Arsenal. City have also this season been knocked out of the Champions League in the qualifying rounds by Real Madrid, lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals, and on Wednesday were beaten 2-1 at United in the League Cup group stage.

“The pressure, for me is always there, no matter what situation you are in,” said Taylor. “Obviously when you are operating at a club of this stature we need to deliver, and I’m completely aware of that.

“But I’m a very resilient character. I think I’ve been in these types of situation before previously as a player, when you’re struggling for form and continuity, and there’s reasons behind that.

“But I think it’s about being really positive, which I have been, working really hard as much as we possibly can, being diligent, supporting the players as much as we possibly can, and believing we will turn this around.”

Taylor has had a considerable injury list to contend with this term, and Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze, Chloe Kelly and Ellie Roebuck are among those still unavailable. Their fellow England international Lauren Hemp picked up a shin injury against Chelsea.