It’s not only the WSL 1 that kicks off tonight, WSL 2 (the second tier) also begins tonight and it’s set to be the most competitive yet with a number of teams capable of promotion. This season sees two teams come into the league, Bristol City (formally Bristol Academy) who finished bottom of WSL 1 last year and were subsequently relegated, and Sheffield who are the first team to be promoted from the Premier League after promotion was introduced. Bristol and Sheffield replace Reading and Doncaster Belles who both achieved promotion to WSL 1 last season, and will join the other 8 teams in WSL 2 in fighting for promotion. There is no relegation from WSL 2 and two teams will be promoted to WSL 1 again this year. Aston Villa A lot of peoples outside bet for promotion and I can see why. The Villains over the past two seasons have been always competing near the top. In the inaugural season of WSL 2, Aston Villa finished 4th behind the three sides which now play their trade in WSL 1. Last season Villa finished one place lower in 5th but the club seem to be making progress all the time. They have also reached the FA Cup quarter-finals this season and are the only one of two sides not in the top tier to make it that far this year. The key player for Villa this year in my eyes is Katie Wilkinson who will need to be instrumental in banging in the goals if they are to challenge for promotion. Bristol City Rebranded and refreshed, Willie Kirk’s women will only have one thing in mind and that is to return to WSL 1 at the first time of asking. Having only managed to win 2 games last season and subsequently got relegated, Bristol took the decision to rebrand from Bristol Academy to join the men’s structure at Bristol City and only time will tell whether this was a correct decision. There has been a lot of rebuilding done here too with certain key members of the squad in the past couple of years opting to stay in the top flight like Angharad James who’s joined Notts County and Sophie Ingle who transferred to Liverpool. However Kirk has managed to rebuild his team with some loan captures from WSL 1 Chelsea as well as striker Olivia Ferguson from Aston Villa who will be charged with banging in the goals. Durham Women Durham in my view are the team that have surpassed expectations in both their seasons in WSL 2 having finished 6th the first year and 7th last year with some expecting them to take home the wooden spoon. Having watched Durham in their recent FA Cup game in which they lost but did tremendously well to reach the fifth round I can say they are a great little outfit with everyone pushing in the right direction. As well as getting players through their link with the University and College, they also get players from local sides Sunderland and Newcastle which help bring the right blend of youth and experience. Beth Hepple will be one to watch this season with her creativity from midfield as well as having an eye for goal too. Everton The Lady Toffees will be eyeing promotion this season after falling short of last season’s expectations missing out on promotion with a 3rd place finish, ultimately finishing 14 points off Reading and Doncaster. Everton did reach the 5th round of the FA Cup this season but couldn’t match last season’s semi-final appearance after losing to league rivals Aston Villa, nevertheless Andy Spence will want his team to bounce back from the recent disappointment and they have the players to do so. The advantage the Toffees have over others is that a core of the group has been with the club for a number of years like defender Gabby George, midfielder Michelle Hinnigan and striker Simone Magill, who will all be key for Everton’s promotion aspirations. London Bees After two disappointing years since re-launching as London Bees (formally Barnet), the London based club will be hoping it’s third time lucky as they look to get it right on the pitch this season. During their first year in WSL 2 they finished bottom on 8 points before improving slightly in 2015 to clinch an 8th place finish and recorded 13 points in the process. I see London Bees finishing in the lower half of the table again this season due to their young and inexperienced squad, however they will have gained experienced over the past couple of years. The Bees task will be made tougher this season having lost instrumental player Lucy Loomes who opted to join Millwall Lionesses, also in WSL 2. Although new manager and former Bristol manager Dave Edmonson will want greater things this year, but I feel it could be a consolidation season. Millwall Lionesses The Lionesses from London have a strong heritage in the women’s game having produced a number of top players throughout the years including Chelsea trio Katie Chapman, Claire Rafferty and Gilly Flaherty. Millwall have a good set-up so should be pushing towards the top of the league and possibly eyeing promotion, although they will be disappointed at last year’s showing having started off well before slipping down the table to an eventual 9th place finish. Having change appointed a new manager in January following last year’s campaign the Lionesses will be starting a fresh as they look to impress the new lady at the helm Rebecca Sawuik. Millwall have plenty of young players to watch out for including new signing Lucy Loomes who joins an attack including Ashlee Hincks and Rinsola Babajide, so expect goals. Oxford United The U’s are a team which I really rate with a number of England youth internationals in their team, thus given Oxford that experience from the international stage which will come in use. When Oxford originally came into WSL 2 two years back I had them down as one of the weaker sides, however they have gone on to prove me wrong and seem to be building something special. Despite finishing 9th out of 10 with 12 points in the first year of WSL 2, they went on to finish 6th last season and subsequently double their points total (24). This year I believe Oxford can go on and push for the top 2, however if they are they need to be more solid defensively having conceded 40 goals last year which is more than double both promoted sides. Sheffield Newly promoted Sheffield who represents the oldest side (Sheffield FC) in the men’s game will be looking to make a good first impression on the league as they look to prove critics wrong and stay competitive throughout the season. Sheffield enters the league having sealed promotion from the Northern Premier League after winning the play-off against Southern side Portsmouth. This season I’m sure the Ladies will just want to get used to life in the second tier and will have the time to do that with there being no relegation from the league this season. Experienced pro Jodie Michalska will be on hand to help the younger players as well as banging in the goals to add to her 3 in the cup this season. Sheffield have brought in WSL 1 experience in the shape of winger come striker Emily Roberts who will be key for them as will goalkeeper Juliana Draycott. Watford Having undergone a mega rebuilding process during the off-season, the Hornets will be looking to bounce back from last year’s dismal showing which saw the team finish rock bottom and only 5 points to show for their efforts. If Watford are to improve this season they will need to improve both defensively and offensively having conceded 55 goals in the league and only scoring 12. The Lady Hornets have recruited cleverly with a number of players arriving from QPR’s successful adding to some quality which the team already has, like striker Anneka Nuttall who will want to improve on her 2 league goals last term. If Watford can get off to a good start then a mid-table finish may be achieved, otherwise they may be scrapping it out at the bottom again. Yeovil Town The Glovers will be one of the fancied sides this season in achieving promotion to WSL 1 having gone close on the two previous occasions. Last season Yeovil finished 4th, level on points with relegated Everton only behind on goal difference, but still finishing 14v points off promotion. While in the inaugural season of WSL 2 Yeovil finished 5th, even further off promotion, so progress is being made. Yeovil will have to cope without instrumental defender Corrine Yorston who opted to re-join Bristol, but they still have Welsh international forward Sarah Wiltshire who in my view could be the league’s top goal scorer this season and for Yeovil sake they hope she will be. Final League prediction
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With the season fast upon us it’s time to look forward to yet another season of top flight women’s football, however with a slight difference. This season sees an expansion to WSL 1 where the leagues gone from 8 to 9 with it going to 10 the following year. My personal view on this is that the league should have been expanded straight to 10 to avoid a team sitting out a matchday, especially when this could impact upon deciding who wins the league or who goes down. Nevertheless this season on paper looks set to be the most exciting yet, if not rival the past 2 years. The 2015 season saw Chelsea emerge victorious to win their first WSL 1 trophy, coupled with winning the FA Cup meaning a double celebration for the girls in Blue. Manchester City was the runners-up and pushed Chelsea all the way till the title was decided on the final day. Meanwhile Arsenal claimed the remaining trophy by beating Notts County, who also lost the FA Cup final, 3-0 in Rotherham to lift the Continental Cup (League Cup). The unfortunate team to be relegated was Bristol Academy who have since rebranded to Bristol City, while Reading won WSL 2, thus achieving promotion and are joined by runners-up Doncaster Rovers Belles who make a return to the top flight after a 2 year hiatus. Arsenal The Gunners will fancy their chances this season after clinching 3rd along with a trophy in Pedro Martinez Losa first season in charge and will be looking to build on this and return to former glories. Since taking over from Shelley Kerr at the start of last season Martinez has implemented a style of attacking play which has picked Arsenal up many points and got them on the brink of Champions League qualification. During the off-season Arsenal have lost some personnel including Jade Bailey to Chelsea, but have strengthened their squad with the additions of German international defender, Josephine Henning from PSG and England midfielder Fara Williams from Liverpool. Overall Arsenal are capable of putting up a title challenge, however consistency will be key and they will need to hit the ground running. I feel that a 3rd place finish would be more realistic given the strength of the squads which both Chelsea and Manchester City pose. League Prediction: 3rd Birmingham City Birmingham will be looking on improving on last season’s 6th place finish but will take heart from the improvement they showed in the latter part of the season which saw them climb away from the relegation place and finish above relegated Bristol as well as the previous champions Liverpool. David parker is one of the best young managers around and has constantly showed that through guiding Birmingham to respectable placed finishes given budget constraints at the club as well as the financial muscle of their competitors. The Blues seem to take the view of developing their own talent which has proved successful rather than going for marquee signings (which they cannot afford). Since the close of last season Birmingham have lost influential playmaker Karen Carney and goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer to champions Chelsea while only adding a couple of additions. They have however managed to keep a core of their team including England internationals midfield duo Jade Moore and Jo Potter as well as strike force Melissa Lawley and Kirsty Linnett. This season could turn out to be a struggle for Birmingham given their small squad which may be affected by injuries and will be fighting a relegation battle. However Birmingham know pundits and fans alike will be writing them off and will be out to defy all odds and achieve a respectable finish. League prediction: 9th Chelsea Last year’s league and cup double winners will want to build on the success and become the new dominant force of the women’s game. Most of the credit for the success should quite rightly go to manager Emma Hayes who has built a foundation and developed that during her tenure at the club. She has brought through some youth as well as making astute signings which are now paying dividends. Chelsea have only got stronger during the off-season by adding playmaker Karen Carney who is arguably one of the best players in the league along with Rebecca Spencer who will provide competition for Hedvig Lindahl in goal and midfielder Jade Bailey from Arsenal. Coupled with the new signings Chelsea have a really strong attack with Eni Aluko, Gemma Davison, Ji So-Yun and Fran Kirby who all bring an abundance of attacking flair to the side and will be key to further success. After last season’s success I can see Chelsea competing for the league title again as they look to retain their league title. In my view the race for the league is too close to call given the strength of Manchester City and the winner come the autumn will be whichever teams the more consistent. League prediction: 2nd Doncaster Rovers Belles After two years away from the top flight Donny return to WSL 1 after their previous spell ended in somewhat controversial circumstances. Doncaster finished runners-up last year behind Reading, missing out on the title on the final day. Manager Glen Harris who was appointed in December 2014 achieved promotion in his first season after the club narrowly missed out the previous year. Harris transformed the squad and got the Belles playing some attractive football which contributed hugely to them sealing promotion. Along with this they were not shy of goal racking up an impressive 57 goals, only 4 less than champions Reading, with Courtney Sweetman-Kirk taking a lot of plaudits for her 20 goals in 18 games. Sweetman-Kirk along with new signing Tash Dowie from Liverpool will undoubtedly make sure Donny Belles are not goal shy this year and will give their opponents plenty to think about. With Doncaster’s return to WSL 1 I have a feeling they could be a surprise package this season with a number of signings including a trio from Liverpool. Whilst I am sure they will not be competing with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City for the title, I am confident at the same time they won’t be involved in a relegation battle, so mid-table’s where I expect them to finish. League prediction: 7th Liverpool Last season was one to forget for the Reds having finished second bottom after winning back to back WSL 1 titles in the two previous years. Since last season’s disappointment Liverpool have undergone major changes with manager Matt Beard leaving to take charge of NWSL side Boston Breakers Stateside with other key personnel leaving too, including England midfielder Fara Williams who has joined Arsenal, while Tash Dowie opted for newly promoted Doncaster Belles and goalkeeper Libby Stout joined Beard at the Boston Breakers. The Reds though have replenished their team with some top signings made by newly appointed manager Scott Rogers, with Natasha Harding joining from Manchester City, Alex Greenwood coming from Notts County as well as goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlin who arrives from Arsenal. In the off-season when Liverpool started losing the core of their squad I did fear for them this time around, however they have had a rebuild and made some great acquisitions which should see them competing in the upper half. Although I am still undecided on them and they could potentially be this season’s flop? But should things go smoothly I think it will be a good year for the Reds. League prediction: 4th Manchester City Arguably Manchester City is the team who are taking women’s football to new depths having invested heavily both on and off the field to improve their standing in the game. In City’s first season in the top flight they clinched the Continental Cup, and then came agonisingly close to winning the league last year but they did manage to secure Champions League qualification for the first time. The Citizens seem to be going from strength to strength having invested again in the off-season in their team. The only marquee signing they have made however is Swedish international striker Kosovare Asllani from PSG which is a real cue for the league, along with Asllani, City signed goalkeeper Marie Hourihan from Chelsea who will provide cover for Karen Bardsley. In my view this season seems like it could be a successful one for the Citizens having kept virtually the same team along with adding a couple of additions which can only mean they’ll get stronger. I see City competing for the league this year and winning it, although it will come down to who has the best attack out of them and Chelsea. League prediction: 1st Notts County The Lady Pies came so close last year to achieving a cup double, but fell at both hurdles being somewhat unfortunate in one of their finals. Nevertheless Rick Passmoor will want Notts to put last season’s disappointment behind them and use it as a stepping stone for greater things this time around. Despite losing in both cup finals there were still plenty of positives which included being part of the first FA Womens Cup final to be played at Wembley along with a 5th place finish in the league. Since last season finished the Lady Pies have lost Alex Greenwood to Liverpool and Desiree Scott who’s opted to return to play for Kansas in the NWSL, both of whom were instrumental last season. However Notts have added some fresh faces including Welsh international Angharad James from Bristol, Chelsea Weston from Birmingham and a short-term loan signing in Rachel Yankey from Arsenal. Given the notable lack of transfer active at the club I did fear it may be a difficult season, however with a triple signing on deadline day, only a few days prior to writing this there is an increased optimism. The only concern is long-term injuries may affect league position as it has done in previous years. League prediction: 6th Reading The WSL 2 champions will be making an appearance in the top flight for the first time and it will be interesting to see how they cope. Reading were last season’s top scores in WSL 2 notching up 61 goals and only conceding 15, although a number of their goals were scored by Fran Kirby who joined Chelsea midway through the season. Nevertheless they continued their assault for promotion thanks to goals from Emma Follis (12), Hellen Ward (8) and Lauren Bruton (7). During the close season Reading signed striker Jade Boho from Bristol to add competition to the front line and who is also capable of producing the unexpected. Manager Kelly Chambers has a tightknit squad despite not really having any star name players and this closeness could see them surpass expectations. Being realistic I see Reading ending up in the bottom half of the table and being involved in a scrap at the bottom, although after watching them on one occasion last season I’m confident that they are up to competing and holding their own in the league. The real test will come when the face the sides who they expect to be competing with position wise and that will determine whereabouts the Royals end up. League prediction: 8th Sunderland
The Lady Black Cats were in my view the story of last season having competed for the title right up till the final few games before falling away and finishing a respectable 4th. They also ended the season with the league’s top scorer, Beth Mead who continued her form from WSL 2 and grabbed herself 12 goals which led to rumoured interest from Arsenal. However she has stayed put which has allowed manager Carlton Fairweather to keep the quality which also includes Keira Ramshaw and Stephanie Roche, while adding midfielder Lucy Staniforth to the side. Unlike last season I cannot see Sunderland having a title charge this season, as most of their opponents will know what to expect from them. Also if Beth Mead were to get injured this could put a dampener in their season. However I am sure that Sunderland will go quietly about their business again and should Sunderland not succumb to too many injuries I expect them to finish mid-table. League prediction: 5th |
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