Chambers: ‘It’s imperative that we get points on the board’

THE Royals now find themselves at the bottom of the table having yet to pick up a point or score a goal in their opening four matches.

“It’s really disappointing to conceded that early, and right now that’s how our season has been,” said manager Kelly Chambers.

“We’ve conceded silly goals where we need to be more ruthless.

“It was a case of we can’t concede, especially at the points of the game when we did, straight from the first whistle, and seeing the third just before halftime.

“The third goal made it difficult to come back from and changed the outlook on the game and the mood in the dressing room.”

The Royals also lost to key players to injury in the first-half as captain Natasha Harding and Deanna Cooper were both forced to be substituted.

“Losing Deanna Cooper shortly after the first goal was tough,” Chambers continued.

“When you lose on of your centre back pairings, it has a real strain on the side’s stability, as you train with the pair to build that relationship.

“So when you lose one, it can make the other quite uncomfortable.

“Having said that, I thought Gemma and Justine did a good job, especially as Justine is a midfielder.

“Just as we began to settle, we lost Tash, one of our leaders and key voices on the pitch.

“So two injuries and a quick goal made it a really difficult game to get back into.

“At half-time, to be fair I didn’t need to say anything.

“The players led the changing room because they know it’s not down to tactical plans.

“It’s finding that desire, that fight in their belly where they want to win games.

“Grace (Moloney) and Brooke (Chaplen) dictated the changing room and I think they said what they needed to and the players to that point.

The Royals boss is now keen for her side to fix their struggling form and put points on the table

“Now we have to find that belief and fire in our belly ahead of the next match against Aston Villa.

“It’s now imperative that we get points on the board.

“We’ve not been in this situation before, but the players know they need to find it within themselves.”