WSL Title Race and Final Standings

This is the Guardian. Baker others and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly and what a week it's been. We could talk for 12 hours and I still don't think we'd fit it all in. It was heartbreak for Arsenal with the defence of their Champions League title ended at Lyon, who've set up a final against Barcelona. The WSL2 reached its dramatic conclusion. Congratulations to Crystal Palace and to champions Birmingham who beat longtime leaders Charlton. Who have one more chance for promotion with a playoff against Leicester, who will finish bottom of the WSL after losing to Chelsea, who themselves confirmed Champions League football next season. And congratulations to Wolves who've secured promotion to the WSL too. Are you with me? Possibly. We'll review all the action here from Birmingham boss Amy Merricks later in the pod. Plus, if there's time we'll take your questions. And that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Pod we have today. Susie Rack. Thank you for last week. You are absolutely wonderful. I'm glad you're back. Listen, you you were more of a natural than you realise, I tell you that right now. I loved the pod last week. Thank you for for stepping in for me at such late notice. Tom Garry, I have to say, your explanation of the WSL scheduling in The Guardian the other week was absolutely brilliant and I think explained a lot. Actually, that's very, very kind of you. Yeah, that's very nice indeed. It's a complicated thing, isn't it? Not not as complicated as me trying to get my headphones to work, but you know Life goes on. Oh I uh one one day we will do an outtakes. I I've I've said this on many occasions before we should have an outtakes pod because uh We're we're not friends with technology, are we? Uh Sophie Downey is, to be fair. She's already done an interview today for us, which we'll hear later on in the pod. How are you doing, Sophie? I'm good, thank you. I'm finally back in the country in one place. It's been a bit of a a manic weekend I think. So bit delirious, but I'll try and hold it together. I love watching your travels always. Um I always find it funny when people say travails. And I'm like, no no no travel like proper travels. No travails there. Right, let's get into it, because there is so much to get into. Uh heartbreak for Arsenal on Saturday, as Leon reversed their first leg lead to book their spot in May's Champions League final. An opportunity for them to claim their ninth European uh title, by the way. First half goals from Wendy Renard and Cariato Diani put Arsenal on the back foot. Alessia Russo did manage to level the aggregate score, but an 86th minute finish from Ula Brand. uh sent the French side through eventually. Tough afternoon really all round uh for Arsenal Suzy despite coming in with a lead into the first leg uh from the first leg even. Where do you feel the tie got away from them ultimately? But it's always gonna be difficult, I thought. in between the games that Leon would look very different in the in the second leg, particularly with DeMorne expected back. I'd heard that she was, you know, kind of it was Precautionary rested. in the first leg so that she would definitely be ready for the second one. And then having Summer Bashaback as well, I think is a massive difference too. So where in the first leg I thought the midfield looked a little bit disconnected from that front three. De Mornay in particular brings that cohesion between The two that I think makes a big difference. And then I also think, you know, when you look last season to this season. Jonathan Girardez is a very good manager, is a very good tactically astute manager and very capable of figuring out the best way around teams and I think it was an uncharacteristic performance from Leon in the in the first leg, particularly in the second half, and a bit more characteristic in this game. Also a bit unlucky with, you know, the offside decision and things, but like Leon with the better side across across the game for me. Yeah, and actually you mentioned DeMorne, she was the uh the difference maker really winning the penalty, uh getting the assist as well for Eula Brown's winner. Uh how did she manage to affect the game so well, Tom? Oh well, all three of the kind of For like attacking midfield wingers uh that Leon had in DeMornay, Brand, and Dearni were all immense, and DeMornay in particular had that kind of combination of pace and skill. and trickery that Arsenal really couldn't contend with. It was a really good example of why many people believe DeMornay is the best player in the world. Right now, I really think that that is the case, in my opinion, too. I think if she Played. international football for a country that were winning silverware. She would have swept up at quite a few of the award ceremonies recently. And maybe if Leon win the title this year, she might get the Ballon d'or with the Champions League. But she really was the best player on the pitch. It's a combination like inventiveness and also the speed at which he does everything. I think it sets her apart right now. I thought she was Brilliant to watch. I was watching it next to Sophie and we were both I think in all of a through ball for the winner. And then you think about the acceleration uh she had over about five yards to win the penalty to squeeze in between Fox and Vivermoy. There aren't many players who are that quick over five yard to get through that gap and she somehow managed to do it. And those those are just two examples of how Brilliant she was on the day. Yeah, she was just unstoppable, wasn't she? Renee Slagers, you know, has has had lots of Praise about her tactical acumen in the last 18 months, so but w what did you make of her decisions? On the day in this game. I think it's really hard with an Arsenal. I think there is probably always gonna come a time. When the squad So la Thereof. became an issue and I think Just the number of games that they've played this year. finally came to a head and things they just couldn't find a way through on on the situation. or a way to get round, you know, Leon's very, very impressive performance. In terms tactically. Just because the very nature of it, they have to rely on Mariona Caldente and Kim Nittle. And I think that's down to squad building. on a longer term basis of la or um or lack of in terms of those areas. We know that there are potentially surlines coming in at that area in in summer, so that would be very, very good. But I think when you're thinking about trying to compete on as many competitions as they are. They really, really need to have more depth where they don't rely on Kim Little and Mario Nickel Dente to play almost every single game. Mariona look shot to pieces in that first half. You could tell within ten minutes that she just had nothing in her legs. Um, and that's nothing on Mariona, it's just how much football she's played for club and country this season. Um, and I think the break this summer is gonna do her the world of good. In terms of um like the substitutions, I thought it was really good to bring us Miller Homburg. Um I think she showed in that game against Leicester how good she is. Especially playing further forward. She was really impacting play. I think my biggest question was the decision after that, was when I think it was Katie McCabe went off and I can't remember who the other one was, but it meant that Smila H Homberg went to Immediately having had such a big impact up right wing on the goal. And it just seemed to take the sting out of the tail of Arsenal and kind of the momentum that they had in terms of her driving runs down that side. So I think if Renee Sleggers were to do it again, she might change that decision. But all in all, you know, she's had such a successful eighteen months at our as a manager. Uh, she is still very, very young. There are going to be these situations where it doesn't go quite right for her. And um I think you could tell from afterwards how kind of almost res resolute she was in trying to learn from it and build again for the next year. Yeah, well I mean that that's always the mark of uh uh of a great manager, great leader, isn't it, to to learn in these kind of situations. And you mentioned uh Holmberg there. She did get the assist for uh Alessia Russo's goal and and Arsenal did improve in in bits of that second half when they turned uh to the bench and actually had players that could come on. But how excited Uh, as an Arsenal fan, Susie, are you, and should other fans be, about Smilla Homebugs? potential going forward for your club. Uh, she's a hugely exciting talent, uh still young, so I think, you know, you can't you don't want to overhype someone too soon, but like clearly got bags of potential. I was at the Leicester game and then in Renee's press conference afterwards she was like so praising of her talked about her having just finished school and gotten her driving licence before she joined Arsenal and then she moved abroad to the European champions, like it's uh It's A big uh Big place to come, a big stage to step into when you're so young and to perform the way she has done over the past two games is hugely impressive, uh, particularly when you're not playing a huge amount of football. That's the thing, right? We always say players need chances to show what they can do and it's kind of on them to take it or not. She's definitely t taken a a chance to stake a claim for a regular starting point at s uh starting slot at some point. in the near future. But yeah, super talent and you know great that she can play numerous positions as well. Um agree with Soph that when she moved f further back, then you've kind of lost her effectiveness up top, which can be a useful tactic in games that you're not chasing, but maybe not the best tactic in a game that you are chasing. But yeah, that versatility I think is It's what all managers looking for, right? Players that can play in multiple different positions, particularly when squad sizes are fairly small. Need to talk about VAR, Tom. Give the penalty when the referee waved the foul away, then spotted the encroachment from Daphne von Domsela for the first spot kick from Wendy Renard, and then after a very long check confirmed the winner to Ula Brand as well. This is what Leo Williamson had to say. It's hard, I felt at the start of the game the ball was in play for about two minutes in 20. Uh with the rules, I don't think we're all on the same page with it, so it's frustrating. It was very stop start. I mean look, it did its job. Tom, which is ultimately what it is there to do to get decisions factually correct. Every call was right. But obviously the impact on the rhythm of the game can't have been particularly helpful from an Arsenal point of view. particularly when they were trying to get a a a foothold. So maybe it you know It's not a perfect science and it's not used regularly enough to be in the women's game quite yet, but um Yeah. Diffic at the moment. Well, the winning goal took three minutes, ten seconds for VAR to to decide on, and that felt way too long. And I just think the in stadium experience was really poor in terms of the information that the spectators are receiving. Those of us in the crowd know getting very little information on we can't see what they're looking at. We're not getting an explanation from the referee like you might do in the In a World Cup. And wait was very, very uh absurd. It was a very long amount of time and I didn't understand why it took so long. For an offside that was A yes or no decision. That was not a subjective thing. That is you're either offside or you're not. And that took a long time. As for the penalty, they've they've they've made the right decision. But I am confused about the implementation of VAR there because While I think they have made the right decision. After looking at about nine different replays. I also don't think it was a clear and obvious error not giving the penalty in the first place. So I might have phrased that badly. No, I know you I I know what you mean, but there's a threshold, isn't there? And and this is where the subjectivity still comes into play with VAR, because what what one person thinks clear and obvious, another person doesn't. So you know, there is still gonna be that human Error and human judgment that comes into it. Agreed. It was one of those penalties where I think if they'd given the penalty There's no way VAR should overturn it and not give the penalty. But having not given the penalty on the pitch, I'm a little bit surprised. VAR were intervening in the sense that some of the replays were were inconclusive as to uh it eventually we got and they have made the right decision. But I'm a little bit Confused that I thought they were only intervening when it was clear and obvious, and it wasn't that clear and obvious. Until you saw about the ninth angle. But I'm open to being criticised on that. That might be that might be a terrible take. Susie's shaking her head. Uh oh no, I completely agree with your take, and Let's caveat this. I was watching it. pub garden at my friend's wedding on my small iPhone screen. So, you know, my replays weren't great, but I just did not think it was a penny, but That's just me. And I thought the winning goal was offside, but you know. I I I think it's something that needs to be really looked at though, because if you remember in the game against Chelsea, the uh Villa Burma's disadvour goal. And the implementation o of that and the clear and obvious threshold was also another thing that came into to question when they disallowed that goal. And whether it was a clear and obvious area. I thought It was the right decision on that day 'cause while I thought the goal was should have stood, B A R couldn't intervene because the referee had disallowed it and because it had been a touch, it was not a clear and or obvious error. And I think that was the same concept in this situation. And I think when we get on to the next game as well against between Boston and Bay Munich, the Pinilla Harder goal. was disallowed by VAR and VIR intervened when I don't think that was a a clear and obvious error by the referee. I don't think it was a particularly force or foul on Patrick Riara in in in the build up. So I I think then does need to be some Whether it's with because it's with referees who don't use VAR that often because we don't have it you know, across all of the women's game. Yeah, whether it's just like arning out the that kind of threshold of really understanding what a clear novice area is, because it's meant to be in the hands of the referee still. It's meant to be that official on the page. That's the whole point of it. deciding things and only when, you know, in the most extreme circumstances that VAR should be getting involved. And I don't think that's happening at the moment. I think it's a combination of both, you know, th it isn't utilised consistently enough. Um, you know, even when it's utilised consistency, you still struggle to get consistency. Um, again, because it's humans operating the technology. The offside one I you know I I'm absolutely on board with, but it's it's never going to be perfect, but there is so much work being done behind the scenes. I know I always say it. Uh but there is in in in terms of minimising, you know, the impact. But I agree on the stadium experience and that's definitely something that's being being looked at. But then of course, you know, when when it's different competitions and different um governing bodies looking after various things. There is no consistency in that manner. And we will get to that Penilla Harder goal in a second, but first of all I want to uh mention what's coming up for for Arsenal, because I I think it was you so f said it that looked pretty short on energy and and you know, Caldente and Kim Little in particular looked out on their legs. They have played a lot of football this year and they've still got four really big games left this season. So how do they get themselves back up and running for this final two weeks, um, because they're so far behind on everybody else. They've got three games in hand in the WSL. They start against Brighton on Wednesday. They only need three points in order to confirm Champions League football for for next year, but you know Three points seems like a lot when you're absolutely shattered. Yeah, I think it's especially when you have a disappointment like that. I think they were so wanting to get to back to back. Champions League finals, right? So the emotional toll is as much as the the physical toll on these players who've played a lot of football and had a lot of success in twenty twenty six? But still it's just gonna be fatiguing. I think it's about, you know, just taking one it's a cliche, right? One game at a time. Building yourself up bit by bit, remembering it's only two weeks left to go and then you're basically on holiday. for a little bit. So it's very you know, it's quite a short count down to the the very end and they've got still so much to play for, right? Yeah, I know we'll go on to this, but City One at the weekend. But there is still if they can win these three games in the next week. then they've they're still very much in with a shout on the final day. A disaster could happen in Ferm City at West Ham. Might be unlikely, but it could happen. And so they need to put themselves in the best position to be able to pounce. Can I say one thing? If if Arsenal, having been in Lyon at the weekend go away to Brighton on Wednesday night and then away to Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime and win both of those away games. I will be so impressed. 'Cause that is a brutal away schedule, three away games. And they have to win them both to stay in in the Tight Race. Given how well Brighton are playing, and and given that they lost to Aston Villa last season. And those are both away from home, Wednesday, Saturday. That's a big, big ass for any team. So if we' if they're still in the title race This time next week, I will take my health. Well that is that is really hard. I think I would add, I think Tim said it last week, didn't he, about the scheduling and I know You wrote a really good piece on the scheduling. Problems and the whole process behind it this week, Tom. But I do think that Leicester game should have been pushed another time. And I understand how The schedule is. But that Leicester game was never gonna be able to be played at that time of year, as Tim said last last week. And it's just created this ridiculous schedule for Arsenal where they're playing Every three days they've now got three uh long away trips in a row. in a really decisive time of year and it's not helping teams in Europe. That's for sure, it's not helping Arsenal in Europe. But it's also just putting so much pressure on surely what was an avoidable situation. Yeah. Well we're gonna discuss the the WSL uh and what happened at the weekend uh in part two, but let's finish off with our Champions League chat because the second semi-final concluded on Sunday with Barcelona overpowering by a Munich at Camp Now, uh beating the German outfit 4-2 in the end. I mean, th they ran away with it in terms of the score lines, Susie, but did Bayern maybe give them more of a test than many of us expected, particularly in i in the second half? We talked about Pinilla Harders goal perhaps dubiously disallowed by VAR that would have made for a A a a a tricky final few minutes. Uh, but what did you make of it? People probably expected a Barcelona win, but I also think that Bay Munich aren't a team that people necessarily underestimate anymore. They've had some really big results in the last year or two that have shown that they can compete. with the best in Europe in the world and They were very, very difficult to beat in this game. I think they had a few really, really good chances late on that could have closed the margin a little bit more. Pinilla Harder's goal being disallowed by VAR just felt very, very harsh, in my view. And I'm not sure that VAR should have been intervening in that. in that situation. And they put up a really good fight towards the end. Some chaotic defending, not clearing the ball for Petus's first, I think was a low point, but they're a very, very strong side and when Pinella Hard is in a team and, you know, battling the way she battles, I think, you know, they're always gonna have a chance. And the fact that, you know, she pulls that goal back. In the seventy first minute was it? Is a testament to the drive that she's got. But I think they maybe could have um and will be ruining that they didn't do quite a bit more in that game given the sort of small spells in attack that they had that were really Exciting. It was always an uphill battle, though, wasn't it, because this is a sixth consecutive European final for Barcelona, which is some feat. That's the longest streak in the competition's history. And it's just incredible that kind of dominance. We've obviously seen, you know, the amount of times that that Lyon have won it in i in eight, but Barcelona over the over recent times, that's that's incredible, that stat. And sold out Camp New again. Which is becoming So normalised for them as well now. I think that They are certainly in that six year period or and certainly probably the last sort of seven year period. They're the dominant force, aren't they, in Europe? And uh there's no imminent signs of that slowing down. I thought that uh Uh, sixty thousand crowd were treated to such great entertainment, weren't they? Whether it was the just sort of speedy movement of the Barstone of players with and without the ball, or whether it was Peters hooking it over her shoulder with the kind of Acrobatic finish further four for The way these Barcelona players clearly love playing the game and playing it in such an exciting way that that must have been such a privilege to be a Barcelona fan watching that. And the implication is that if it had been full capacity available at the Camp New with the renovations that they they might have been able to sell out the whole thing, which is a hundred thousand, which is extraordinary. So They are setting new levels for for kind of on pitch and that off pitch to a degree you know at the moment and They would be worthy champions, I think, if they could go all the way in Oslo. Uh, which is the twenty third of May, by the way. And I mean these two have had some brilliant encounters over the years. Uh so This is the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. I want no fence sitting at all. What are your early feelings about which way it's gonna go? I will have to call Barcelona, I think I think they're just Find a way. And I think Yeah, just the way there's a s a lot for that team to play for, I think not not that there isn't for Leon, but I think There's a lot of rumours around like the future of Alexia Putis. I think her contract is up in in the summer. um in terms of what happens with her, whether she decides to move on, she was very emotional, let's say at the end of the picture's in tears. At camp noon. you know, they've got Aitanaboor Mati back who will be wanting to make a prove a point after, you know, spending a lot of the season sideline with injury. She'd probably still win the ball on door. But yeah, I I j I just see their their strength. I think Leon might test him as they have done before, but um I think eventually quality in the tank to come out on top. Okay, so bearing in mind our predictions, congratulations to Leon in advance for their ninth title. Right, that's it for part one and part two. We'll catch up on the final day in Barclays WSL2. We'll speak to Birmingham City Manager Amy Merricks on her side's title win and We'll look at the other domestic action from a very, very busy weekend. I'm Kai Wright. I'm Car Sherman. And we are here to tell you about our new show, which is rooted in this feeling that at least I have, I know you have, where, you know, it's kind of like when you wake up in the morning and you pick up your phone and you're just hit in the face with a fire hose of news, right? Like There's war, there's authoritarianism, our planet is learning. I could go on and on and on and on and on, but like we're trying to figure out how to manage it, right? Like how do you manage it? I manage it by leaning in and trying to learn more and trying to figure out, okay, how can I be smarter about this particular topic? And who can I talk to that's going to make me feel better about it. And who can tell me who's responsible for the mess that I'm reading about. So that's our mission. That's the show. Welcome to Stateside with Kai and Carter. We're a new show from The Garden. We're talking to big thinkers and the best journalists, just trying to understand the world through smart conversation and honest reporting. We don't have billionaires telling us what to say. Stateside with Kai and Carter will come out three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday starting May 13th. Follow on Apple Podcasts or catch us wherever you watch or listen. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Okay, so Barclays WSL2 came to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday. Birmingham City prevailed to lift the title and secure promotion with a 2-0 win. Over Charlton, Crystal Palace secured the second automatic playoff spot with a 6-1 win. over already relegated Portsmouth. That means that Chartner are now going to play in the playoff against Leicester for the final WSL spot on the 23rd of May. We'll start with Birmingham though. Susie and producer Sof caught up with Amy Merricks earlier on to talk through that intense final day. and speak about her title winning team. So Amy, uh massive congratulations. I can imagine it's been a bit of a whirling weekend. How do you reflect on everything that's happened? I don't think it's it's kind of settled in, if you like, just yet. I mean, I keep just looking back at the videos and the pictures and it's just an amazing moment when that full time whistle went. I'm just incredibly proud of all the staff and all the players and So and been so close last year. to be enable to bounce back at I don't think a lot of teams do that in in that fashion. It'd be like, and it certainly wasn't perfect, but we got it done. And I'm just so pleased that we got the top spot as well, 'cause I think that's a real statement. I was gonna ask about that, 'cause after last year the heartbreak I guess there's a bit of a lot of mental stuff that you have to get through with the team as well in in kind of preparation for that to try and get over it. So how were you able to to kind of climb that mountain and get to the the other side? Absolutely. And it wasn't just missing that one year. This actually club that for the past four seasons. unfortunately just missed out. And I I actually think that carries a bit of weight on the shirt for the players. So we have a cool group of players that actually before pre season even started, um, I call them the OGs, pulled them together and you know, what do we need to do? How are we gonna go go about it? And we set out some really key markers that we thought would be important as as a team. The players did that, they led that. And funnily enough, two of those key markers were why we got to the position we did. One was bouncing back after dropping points to wins. And I think it was only one occasion we didn't do that. Every other occasion we did, we bounced back to a win. And the other one was goal difference. And both those things got us over the line. So I thought it was really nice that they led it. I think getting success has to come from your playing group really having a leading role to play. And I'm really fortunate that we have such a fantastic group. They're very close. So yeah, I d I mean that that's a very long answer, but I I do think the shirt carried a bit of weight because of the unfortunately being so close for so long. But look. we managed to get it done and we're back where we belong. The WSL two is always a bit of a wild ride, so many like ups and downs. At what point did you really start to believe that it was gonna be your year, that things were starting to kind of fall your way. I believed all along, before we'd even kicked the ball in the season, I I had full belief. And people don't believe me when I say that, but you can ask the players. I mean we, Kate, we returned in January after Christmas and Chelten had a nine point gap. I said we're in a perfect position 'cause we we get to chase, we get to hunt. I think if you look at the statistics over the years Those that have held top. position for a period of time generally don't hold on to it. That was us last season. So I actually think there's something in the concept of chasing and hunting and look at Crystal Palace. Same goes for them, right? I fully believed and I'm just so pleased that we got the top spot because I don't think I could accept second even though that was automatic promotion. So Albeit by four goals, who cares? But yeah, full belief. I knew that we were capable. I knew that we had what we needed. Um And it was never going to be perfect because that's not what this league is about. The WSL two is is a brutal league to get out of. And we had some really tough results. And and not to mention against Ipswich the week before. I mean, they were fighting for their lives and they were exceptional in that ten minute spell when that was a mountain to come back from. I was going to say, I'm glad you you believed because I I I did actually predict in my we always do like predictions every year and I did say Bowman to go up and then you were getting me a bit worried there for a little bit, but It came through for me, right, in the end to prove me right. As you said, you've got some OGs in your playing squad and I know it probably I could see kind of the emotion on on their faces and the faces of like Christie Harris and Marian and players like that who stuck with you through it all. And I guess since when you came in as well. you know, being there as a foundation to you trying this rebuild around. How important have those players been been for you? Oh, so important. I actually I rang Christy this morning because I I actually haven't had a chance to speak to her properly. Not only because I mean she couldn't speak in the in the party afterwards 'cause she was just running around. I think just that relief for everyone was huge, but And you know, I just said to her, Thank you so much. There's no way this team would have got over the line without her leadership. And I think there's a lot that she does with me as well in supporting me and and the team. And there's a lot that she does that I don't see. Uh, she is an incredible person and I'm so pleased that for her not only we got it done, but You know, in our new gym, she is front and centre of it. And she exactly where she should be. And it was nice also to have the likes of Louise Quinn there at the game and the girls sent the trophy over to her. And she's again someone else that has just lived through it all. And I think you can see the players are putting up posts and a lot of the captions are we finally did it because We just had to get it over line, um, and w and we did. But yeah, I it honestly, Christy deserves all the applauded. She's an exceptional leader. She's gonna be an exceptional head coach. I've already said to hope she'll be an exceptional successor one day. Yeah, incredible, incredible person and player. How do you feel personally about uh your own development as a coach? I mean you've done this in your second year as a manager, you must feel very, very proud. Don't know what to say to that 'cause I haven't thought about it yet. I bet be really honest. I got my laptop out today after a couple of days of partying and I'm like, uh Okay, right. What's next? I've made it really clear that this this has never been and should never be about me. I This club has my heart. It really has. I I I don't know what to say to make that even clearer. I I've fallen in love with the club, the ambition it has, and I was just so, so, so clear on taking this club back to where it belongs, especially the heartbreaker last season and The first thing I did when that final whistle went on Saturday was run over to the fans because I think we just all felt it, the pure emotion of finally being able to get this card back to where it belongs. And I'm gonna be really honest, the real work starts now. The real work starts now. That that was effectively it wasn't easy, but that was effectively the easy bit. We all know the WSL, fortunately, I have experience of it, but it's also changed and developed. So Yeah, the real work starts now. Um, and I'm really looking forward to the challenge of making sure we sustain WSL status. For sure. And I think it's it speaks a lot that both you a and and Joe Potter are the two managers that have, you know, got teams promoted this year. And I guess what does that tell you about the importance of giving young female managers, you know, these opportunities to manage at the top and to to show you what they can achieve? It's something I'm very passionate about and I've I've spoken about this a lot. be able to create um more and better female coaches at elite level at the English game. They need to be able to see p people doing it. And I I take that very seriously, that I am effectively hopefully opening doors to others. So the product uh that my team produces showcases the work that we do is critical in making sure that we are opening that door. I take that very seriously. Joe Potter is an exceptional manager. They beat us twice. incredibly as well. I'm not looking forward to playing them again. Actually, yes, I am. We need to put it right. But look to have two female English coaches in the WSL, I think is critical to this country. Um and the female coaches aspiring to get there. And there's several projects, the Powerhouse project's been doing a phenomenal job. But unfortunately, female coaches get to a point And then they drop off and and and the real reason for that is lack of opportunity. of opportunity. So we have to keep knocking down that door. I will continue to be vocal about it, but most importantly, I'll make sure I do a good job. So that hopefully That opens more doors for others. So important that clubs and boardrooms and stuff. take a chance on people. It's just so critical. Uh you said that you've got your laptop out already. What does the summer look like for you now? I imagine it's gonna be a very busy time for the football club. Yeah, yeah, very busy. The work doesn't stop. Obviously we're in a period now where recruitment started, I'll be honest, you you try and work two windows in advance. I think I think the best clubs do that. We have a fantastic backroom team. Obviously we have Hope at the forefront of it, driving it. She doesn't rest. I think that woman doesn't sleep. I think she's incredible. She she always builds. She knows exactly what she wants. She's only just getting started at this club as well. So Great we've done it, but We we have an ocean that we've got to swim. uh before the season starts, um, to make sure we're in the best position to do exactly what we need to do. Um I don't want to give away too much, but obviously we have player recruitment, we have staff recruitment, we have pre season building plans. I think the best thing is, and I'll be really honest with this, elite sport has a funny way of allowing you the successes when it knows you're ready. And we are so ready for this. We have a fantastic platform of work that we've done this season. Uh last season we were in a good position, but To be completely WSL ready, I'm not sure. I think we've shown this year with our performances against Villa, Man City, physically, we're totally there, technically, tactically, we're still striving, we're building, we've got a good platform. We're so ready for this. So yeah, the laptops out and and there's a lot of work to do, but it's good work. I don't feel like We're building from the ground up. We've got a fantastic foundation. And hopefully you get some sort of holiday in there as well, fingers crossed. I forgot to mention that. That's the most important bit. No, yeah. Actually I had a few uh a few coaches message me that have had fantastic careers, you know, like Sarian Skinner that's full of experience and I haven't experienced this yet. This is the first time and She was like, Amy. You need to rest. So yes, I will be doing that. I will be doing that. Hopefully I get my voice back properly as well. Awesome. Thank you so much for joining us and congratulations again and good luck with the rest, which is sometimes the harder part and the preparations for the new season. Thank you. Appreciate you. Thank you so much. I think we can all take a lesson from that. We all need a a rest after this season. I will not be getting one. But hopefully you guys will in in mid-June. Clearly she was absolutely delighted. Massive task. uh to rebuild after relegation four years ago and she's been absolutely uh fantastic. Uh let's touch on Palace as well, Tom. Really hard to bounce straight back up after the disappointment of last year's WSL campaign. But what what have you made of the job that Joe Potter's done? And uh are they gonna be a little bit more prepared for the top flight, do you think, this time round? Yeah, I do think they're coming back stronger. They're the best team I've seen in this league this season. They've not won the title. 'cause he had a very slow start, but since mid November Once they began to find their feet. They've they've won twelve of the last fourteen matches, which is a storming run to come through and get second coming from the absolutely nowhere at Christmas to get second. And that's because they've just been so good since since the turn of the year and particularly since they started. getting a run of wins together. They won a they won against um a home against Birmingham in in December three nil and I think that really set the standard that they kept for most of the rest of the season. Yeah. Twelve wins in fourteen is extraordinary. I think they signed really well in January with players like Hailey Lad coming in, adding a lot of really good experience. And they kept a lot of the strong players in from from uh from last year as well. So They are. Coming back up, hopefully better equipped than when they came up last time. They look a like they've got Goals coming from more areas of the pitch this time as well. They seem a little bit more versatile than they were. Thirty six months ago. And This time they're gonna have the slightly added advantage. In that There'll be more chances to avoid relegation next year than they were last time, in a sense that next year there'll be one automatic relegation spot and a playoff. But you know, finishing second bottom doesn't guarantee you going down. And you know We would expect to be down there. Some people are gonna stay up, which I think when Callis were in the top flight last time, they were very isolated as, you know, the bottom side, and this I think should be a lot more competitive next year. So Really wishing him well and um and yeah, Joe Potter's done a great job, which is which is encouraging to see for young manager getting a chance like that and and and taking them up under under pressure. So so well done to Joe. Yeah, um we need to mention Charlton's soap. Absolutely gussing for the addicts, just one winning seven now. And uh just a reminder for everyone, there were nine points ahead in mid-March and really storming towards the title. Karen Hills has proper challenge on her hands to get them ready for that playoff against Leicester, doesn't she? Yeah, it's uh gonna be a monumental task because I know Leicester been in a poor run of form. recently, but I just think when you have let that kind of lead slip. the psychological side to it is is is huge, right? And You could see on on the the pitch at the end how devastated some of those players were were. Like they were inconsolable. Two weeks. three weeks is a very short space of time. Leicester is still playing football as well. They've got the last game of the seas, so there'll be in some kind of rhythm, at least in terms of playing matches and and and games. Yeah, I would think it's almost impossible at this point in time. And maybe she can work magic in the next two weeks, three weeks and and really get them back on track. They have a really good defensive record. that's what they will will use as their foundations, but they're not particularly strong in attack and I think their propensity to to lose momentum in games and lose late as well. has served them badly in these last three months or so. in terms of that. So yeah, I think for me at the moment Leicester probably looking the most likely of the two. And that's not because I think that's your playing brilliantly, but I just think in the goal that they scored at the weekend, in the little moments that they can take from these last few weeks. um and the rhythm that they can maybe build from that, they're probably going into that game in the best possible position if you're thinking about two bad momentums. Although nothing is impossible. You know, if she can pick the those players up and They were so close, they know they were so close, they've got another opportunity that does not come around very often. So You know, hopefully it'll be a competitive game and uh and both sides can show What we know that they're both capable of, and may the best team win. We'll obviously preview that uh when it comes round to it. Quickly wrap up the uh Barclays WSL. Plenty of action on the penultimate match day, drama at the Joy Stadium as well, Manchester City. Got a last gasped victory over Liverpool, Rebecca Knack scoring in the 91st minute to put City two points from the title. It wasn't pretty, Susie, but that's what champions are made of, ultimately. They just are able to find a way. Yeah, I'm uh launching a campaign for Rebecca Knack to have the nickname Salmon because that is what she looked like when she sort of dove like horizontal to get to uh her head on that ball. It was Really Interesting, 'cause like I would say there was a a spell of time between l sort of the seventy fifth and eighty fifth minute where Liverpool had quite a lot of chances and Each time they weren't able to get on target or or, you know off the woodwork or wherever it may be, you just thought this has a this has a late city winner in it. it it just felt like it was coming that the Lauren Hemp was so brilliant in that game. Bunny Shaw, you know, should have should have scored multiple times. and it just felt like eventually something could give and it was kind of heartbreaking to see Jennifer Falk sort of not kind of have her best moment uh in conceding the goal. Literally moments before she had made a absolutely fantastic stop and she was really, really excellent throughout that game. So Life of a Goalkeeper. Hero to zero. Exactly. It was an impressive livable performance, but yeah, I mean there there was just no way City were gonna let reached the final whistle without having put the ball in the back of the net. It just I felt like watching it that they were going to get that goal at some point, that it came literally at the death. Yeah, Glutz even said it he aged five years in that game. Uh it probably aged quite a few City fans as well, but Um, it just felt like it was coming for me. And that I think that is the mark of champions that you you feel like it's never done. Prime ministers and football managers. You can just watch them age in the shortest amount of time. Sam Kerr became uh Chelsea all-time WSL top goal scorer, uh, helping them to a 3-1 victory over Leicester. That result also secured them European qualification as well, which must be a huge relief for Sonia Bon Pastor, uh to wrap it up, particularly because their final day game is against Manchester United, so Yeah, I should be very pleased, and in terms of like thinking about the rebuild that's probably gonna happen at the summer stuff, having Champions League football at least qualifying or Champions League football. We don't know that yet. Um, but that option there is gonna be a big pool, I think, for for players to come to the club. It's a good addition to have on on top of everything else at Chelsea. women can offer uh offer a player. And just big up to Sam Kerr because her contract is also up in a couple of weeks' time. She has had a remarkable career at Chelsea. Maybe they'll decide to keep her on, I don't know, but it has been heavily rumored that she'll be heading towards the N WSL. Um, and this will be the end of her time in the W SL and just I think just so pleasing for a player who's has so much to get through in the last two and a half years or so, right, in terms of Fighting that injury, fighting the injury from injury. getting back to full fitness. Um, not being favored uh in the starting eleven for a lot of the even when she was fit. Um, for a lot of this year. and being playing basically went away with Australia to the Asian Cup, played back to about ninety minutes and has not looked back ever since and scored, what, three and four, or four and five, or something like that. Like the stats are there to show that she's still one of the best number nines in the world. Um so uh she's making a statement I think about that she's very much Not over yet. Not done. It's not the end of Sankha. No, it most definitely isn't. Yeah, elsewhere, uh Manchester United salvaged a draw at home to Brighton thanks to a late equaliser from Leah Shuler. Uh Tottenham Hospur secured their highest ever points tally with a 2-1 win over London City Lionesses. There was a fun farewell from the home fans for Bethany England, Kit Graham. Amy James Turner, Luana Buller, Josephine Rybrink and Charlotte Grant, who will all be leaving the club at the end of the season, talking about rebuilds, certainly one going on at Spurs. Finally, West Ham scored two late goals to ear three points away against Aston Villa. Um in the FA Women's National League, the playoffs, uh Wolves have secured promotion to Barclays WSL2, Dan McNamara's side, and a one-nil victory in the playoff game against Plymouth Argul thanks to a goal from Charlotte Greengrass. Uh congratulations to them. Quite the journey as well to reach this point for Wolves, Tom. You were at the Pirelli yesterday. How was it? Oh, it was tense, Faye. It was really, really tense. And Moves his celebrations were Hugely Joyous and emotional, really. Good good crowd as well, around two thousand people there. So for those who don't know, last year, of course, Wolves were really in the mix of emotion, but the the club didn't apply for the license. This year there's been a sort of a much more progressive approach from the football club. The the the chairman Nathan Shee was actually there yesterday, watching on and supporting the team. And you know, this year they did put in the license and they've been accepted and they've managed to get promotion. The the players in a squad that they've only lost two league matches in total in the last two years. So it's been coming they they nearly got promoted four years ago when they lost the playoff to Southampton. In twenty twenty two they only lost one nil and in that year they only lost one league game as well. So they've been close several times and it feels like Their goalkeeper Alex Brooks had a phenomenal game and Plymouth were very unfortunate not not to win, actually. I I would argue that Plymouth had by far the better chances. But in the end, um a mistake at the back of a Plymouth allowed Charlotte Greengrass to score the winner and the place went wild and uh I think it just felt as though wolves had um as Dan Manamara himself, the head coach said, you know They were probably got the rubber the green yesterday, but maybe it was their turn to get the rubber the green after several years of near misses. Yeah, absolutely, and congratulations to them as well as to Baldmere St. Michaels and Norwich City who played in the other two uh playoff games. They both won to secure their promotion to the FA Women's National League uh premiere. So pretty much most things are wrapped up and we will uh find out how the Barclays WSL Uh finishes. We're expecting the title to go to Manchester City, but I'm sure Susie's Arsenal are gonna have something to say about that, and I don't feel as if the drama is yet over. Congratulations to everyone. Well well I mean we got through it. How did we get through that? We actually got through that relatively quickly, bearing in mind the amount we had to uh do. Tom, it was lovely to see you as always. Lovely to see you, mate, chatsing. Soph, lovely to see you as always. Brilliant to be back on. See you soon. C Rack, still need to get that coffee. We really do. I know, it's so ridiculous. This is getting embarrassing. To be fair, you've been busy. We've been busy. It's the end of the season. But we we do need to be better. We must be better. Anyway, keep having your say. Send in your questions via X. I'm sorry we didn't get round to uh to them this week, but we will have plenty more time before the season ends. You can send them in via X or email us at women's footballweekly at the Guardian.com. This is your regular reminder to sign up for our biweekly women's football newsletter. All you need to do is search Moving the Goalpost sign up. The Guardian Women's Football Weekly is produced by Sophie Downey and Silas Gray. Music composition was by Laura Ierdale. Our executive producer is Joel Grove. This is the Guardian.