Andrée Jegerletz previews Everton with emphasis on regaining momentum
Returning from their winter break , Manchester City prepare to take on Everton. City start the New Year top-of-the0table in the Barclays Women’s Super League with six points clear, while the Toffees remain in tenth place.
This fixture takes place at 11:55 BST at Manchester City's home, the Joie Stadium. Both teams are eager to start the year off on the right foot and add another three points to their name.
This is the third time the teams face each other this season, as they previously met in both the WSL and the Subway Women’s League Cup. Although Everton have managed to score in every game against the Blues, Manchester City secured all three points in both games.
The need for a reset
After the Blues had a successful run during the first half of the season where they managed to win ten games in a row, head coach, Andrée Jegerletz spoke on the importance of a break during the season:
“We all need a break; it's been a hectic autumn for all of us. A lot of new players, a lot of new things during so we needed a couple weeks off.”
With the packed schedule, City are approaching this year with their Adobe Women’s FA Cup campaign beginning against AFC Bournemouth and reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup. The festive period was an opportunity to reenergise and prepare for a busy second half of the season. Jegerletz says he knows City will regain momentum quickly, as they have been on a drive throughout the first half of the season:
“Atmosphere among the players has been great and were in a good place, so really looking forward to Sunday.”
A winning mentality
After bringing in some big signings in the summer, including the likes of Iman Beney and Sydney Lohman, the team are beginning to flourish within their relationships on the pitch as they navigate themselves through this season:
“Of course, there will be relationships that need a couple more sessions maybe, the timing needs a little bit more but i think we have done what we can so far.”
The mood has been high in the training sessions since the team returned to Manchester, as they prepare together for the WSL return this weekend:
“I think the mood and atmosphere has been great among the players.”
Even with excitement and anticipation high, the team are focused and driven to finish the season on the same foot as before the break. However, it will not prove easy with tough opponents ahead: they face Chelsea at home twice, and both Arsenal and Manchester United away. They remain determined to continue to prove themselves. Jegerletz recognises the confidence increase since August and energy within the team, which gives them an advantage heading into these fixtures.
However, there is still a strong emphasis that lingers throughout the club's mentality and training sessions of there still being room for improvement. Although the team is thriving, Jegerletz believes that as the team to catch, they should not add to high expectations upon the players creating unnecessary pressures:
“We can be better in a lot of things, but you need to take it step by step and don't overthink it.”
Team news
Although the squad have had a chance to reset there are still big names absent: Aoba Fujino being one. The winger plays a pivotal role in City’s attack, but is not yet ready to return:
“Yeah, still she, she’s not available for a game on Sunday unfortunately, we take it week by week to see how she’s coping with the rehab next week and we will see how that goes.”
City are also yet to see the return of one of their key players last season, Mary Fowler. The Australian forward suffered an ACL injury last season but has been taking part in modified training recently as she recovers:
“I'm not saying the tricky part comes now, but it's a little bit like that now. She has been working very hard with her rehab and now this about not being too eager, either she or us. These coming weeks will be crucial; she is sub-partial with the team and modified in some parts and I think that's how it's going to be now these coming weeks.”
Jegerletz’s first few months in Manchester
As Jegerletz is taking on his first season in the WSL, he has already earned several trophies for his managerial role in Manchester. He has become one of the first managers to win three WSL Manager of the Month awards in a row. Speaking on this, it shows within the team how much the appreciation is valued and how much it gives them a confidence boost to continue with their performances. He speaks about how his appreciation isn't just for him but also the players; this shows he is doing well and helping the players to develop and improve:
“It's the same for me and shows that I and my colleges and the whole staff are doing good things so that is of course nice to be like that and to be appreciated.”
However, City's manager isn't the only one to receive recognition this month as the WSL also awarded Bunny Shaw with the Player of the Month award. Shaw is a clinical striker and her forward-thinking intuition and progress with the team has been awarded. In fact, she scored her 100th goal for the club after securing a hattrick against Aston Villa last month:
“I think Bunny's unique in a lot of things and right now what she’s doing for us and what she’s doing for this league right at the moment I can't see many forwards that is better than she is.”
The opposition
Regarding Everton, Jegerletz recognises their technical ability and knows they should not be underestimated:
“Are skilful on the ball, tactically very fluent and flexible and that is things we need to adjust to and be able to and be prepared for.”
He also mentions their speed which Manchester City can challenge with the likes of Lauren Hemp, who previously made her comeback from injurt when the team played the Toffees away:
“It's a good team they have caused us some problems but at the same time we have won both games and we have all opportunities to do that again, but like we say to all teams we have a great respect for the opponent.”