Take me home, East Lancs Road
I don’t actually use the East Lancs to get to LSV but it would be quite niche to refer to my own route to get there.
Tonight is the return to our home ground after the looooong summer followed by an Old Trafford appearance and an away game at the park. As far as it is from Manchester, Leigh Sports Village does feel like home for many fans of Utd Women. It’s nice to get to Old Trafford on occasion and I’m sure it’s a thrill for the players, but the attendance v West Ham was a bit of a reality check. The ‘loss’ of a Lioness, the previous 6-0 drubbing and wearing off of the novelty could all have played a part in the apathy around the first game of the season. It’s time for Utd to drive the marketing of the women’s team towards just that, the team. Man Utd have always been a club the create legends, that develops world class players, not that relies on them for exposure.
The recruitment this summer, while ignored by the bias of the media, has been exceptional. The return of Grace Clinton, who has benefitted greatly from Utd’s effective use of the loan system, is accompanied by the addition of other exciting youngsters along with the experience of Dominique Janssen and the promise of more to come from those entering their 2nd year as reds.
The conti cup would normally be the time to give fringe players a run out and rest the ‘first’ team, but we genuinely have a squad this season, multiple valid options for starters in each position. Coupled with the postponement of the weekend’s Chelsea game we have a chance to either persist with the preferred set up and give it more time to develop or try something a little different.
I don’t expect to see Ella Toone tonight with her Dad’s funeral being today so that’s one almost certain change. The improvement at Walton Hall Park after Malard, Miyazawa and Bizet entered the fold suggests deserved starts for those 3 but Elisabeth Terland looks like a player who needs minutes and a goal to properly settle. I expect her to feature at some point if not as a starter. Get the best out of her and she’s the future. Give her a taste of LSV.
Head over to the chat to give your thoughts on tonight’s lineup
I probably should have started with this but if you’ll be at the game tonight I’ll be there with issue 15 (£2) of Barmy Article as well as some of the FA Cup special (£3). Come and buy, or just say hi. (cringe)
It's interesting you mention about the marketing aspect going forward as this is something I think needs to be improved radically if they're ever going to meet their aspiration of regular games at Old Trafford.
On attending the West Ham game, I have to admit to being a bit disappointed with the apparent lack of fanfare at the ground. Granted, the PR bods may have thought that investing in a full stadium frontage display may not have been money well spent, but where's the picture board celebrating the Women's Team's FA Cup victory amongst the display near the "Trinity" statue? How can we take the likes of SJR and INEOS seriously with their assurances that they value the Women's Team when they don't acknowledge a first for the club. All well and good using "All Red, All Equal" as a marketing strapline, but they need to turn words into action and make all Teams within United aren't treated with the same regard.
Whilst it's only right and fair that all United fans are consulted about the future of the Old Trafford development, the club also needs to be pragmatic and concentrate on how they can market the Women's Team effectively so we have consistent high attendances at the LSV and then look at further fixtures at Old Trafford. Until then, we face the prospect of further disappointing attendances as with West Ham, and with it - a disappointing atmosphere.