Gareth Taylor column: London City draw, LFC Women's mentality and West Ham trip
In his latest column, Liverpool FC Women head coach Gareth Taylor reflects on the 2-2 draw with London City Lionesses and looks ahead to Sunday's trip to West Ham United.
While we couldn't get the win last weekend, I was pleased to see us get a point because we thoroughly deserved that late goal.
It was played in testing conditions but I don't think it spoiled the game and our way of playing because we do like to play the ball on the floor.
We played progressive football against a team who spent heavily during the window. So for us, even if we hadn't got that late equaliser at the end, I still would have been proud of the way we played.
For this team to go up to the next level, I do feel we really need to polish up at both ends of the pitch.
We have made a few more mistakes recently than normal but I think our productivity – certainly in keeping the ball out of our goal – has been pretty good until recently.
My biggest thing I look at is the response from the players after they make a mistake. That is the thing that either impresses me or infuriates me – particularly the next action and how brave we are.
I've certainly felt this season that the mentality from the players every time we have conceded is that the reset button has been pressed very quickly, so that is really positive.
We started so well against London City. We put them on the back foot and certainly had the lion's share of possession in the first half.
We came in 2-1 down at half-time but in the second half we completely dominated them and I was really pleased for the girls that we were able to force that own goal right at the end.
There is lots to be pleased about and we have just taken a point off – and it should have been more – a team that had seven consecutive wins and has made a really strong start to the season, sitting third in the Barclays Women's Super League.
The way we were able to control the game was very impressive and we are really clear in what is the big shift needed from us that is going to move us up the table.
Last week, Fuka Nagano hit a special milestone as she played her 100th game for this club.
I thought Fuka was excellent against London City. She and Kirsty Maclean were exceptional in midfield.
Fisky [Grace Fisk] from the first minute to 94 minutes was outstanding, along with Jenna Clark.
Cornelia Kapocs got her first hat-trick for the club against Manchester United last week and then she did really well to get in the cross that leads to the own goal. Kappy has been priceless this season for us and done really well.
It was also good to get Lily Woodham on the pitch as well and contribute well for us.
So, there is plenty to be positive about.
The supporters were behind us, as always, every step of the way and hopefully they went away with something to be proud of with the way that we played.
We now look forward to Sunday's trip to West Ham United and we are looking to get back to winning ways.
With the injuries that we have got, we have a squad that has got some issues at the top end of the pitch. But everybody needs to play their part and that's all you can ask for.
Unfortunately, Anna Josendal and Sophie Roman Haug are still a little bit away from returning and I don't think they will be back around training for a couple of weeks at least.
But hopefully this week we can get the likes of Mao Itamura and Viv [Endemann] sharper with a week of training after their recent returns.
Thanks for your support.
YNWA,
Gareth
Gareth Taylor was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com's Steve Hunter
