Thoughts on Thursday on Friday
It’s Friday, it’s the start of the weekend and we’ve found out who our Champions League opponents will be. Life is good.
2 seasons ago we had a stuttered start to the league campaign, which felt like it could be forgiven if it meant we could progress through R3 qualifying in the Champions League against PSG. We didn’t, and the rest of the league campaign was just as frustrating.
This time around, with a threadbare squad but a much better team, we’ve started strong in the league AND navigated not only R3 of qualifying but R2 as well.
Our 2 league games so far should absolutely have delivered the 6 points we’ve gathered, but the way we won both is a step up on previous years. We’ve always had an occasional rout in us, but far too often we would stagger through the so called easier games.
Here are some thoughts on Europe, the season so far and the shape of our team/squad
Elisabeth Terland
Last season, Teri was our top scorer, but her work off the ball, leading the press, was pivotal to our better performances. With 10 goals in 20 league games and 12 overall for the season, she wasn’t far off the WSL golden boot, but not quite the elite levels of Bunny Shaw, who scored 2 more despite playing 6 games fewer.
The start of this season has seen a continuation of that hard work, leading from the front, but with that step up in finishing too. With 2 hattricks in CL qualifying, she’s propelled herself to 9th in our all time (since reformation) goal scorers list with the best goals per game ration of 0.61. A very realistic 10 more goals this season would see her jump from 9th to 4th, with only Leah Galton and Ella Toone ahead of her who are still at the club.
At just 24, Teri has the potential to set unassailable records at Utd.
Julia Zigiotti Olme
The under the radar signing of the summer. Frida Rolfo and Jess Park took the headlines, but Zigiotti Olme was the one transfer that appeared the most intentional, and it’s clear to see why. Hinata Miyazawa was the beating heart of the midfield last season and now she has a perfect partner.
On paper, Zigiotti is the 6 and Hini is the 8, but on the pitch they both pop up all over the park. The ground covered and tackles won makes it feel like there are 3 midfielders at times. Add Zigiotti’s delivery from corners which provided the assist for Teri’s 2nd goal last night and the difference she brings to the team probably makes her our most important signing of the summer.
Jess Park
Jess Park is a fierce rival for that label of most important signing and will certainly grab more headlines for the role that she plays.
She’s a player who can drive the team up the pitch with a burst of pace and a relentless dribble. She’s effective out wide and when she drifts into the middle, as shown by her goal against London City Lionesses. She’s basically what we hoped Grace Clinton would become…and more. Along with Zigiotti she drags the quality on the pitch up a few notches.
Melvine Malard
Malard is good cover for the left and a lively forward. That’s what I thought coming into this season. Occasionally a little hesitant in front of goal, more creator than finisher. I was worried about the lack of depth after Terland upfront.
But what a start. 2 league starts, 2 braces. Amidst the attention around departures and their comments (on which there’s a typically nail on head article in the upcoming Barmy Article), this is a player who loves the club, turned a loan into a permanent move and oozes positive energy.
Ella Toone
This is her chance.
The conundrum of fitting Toone and Clinton into the same 11 is gone. Ella Toone bleeds Utd and that number 10 slot is hers for the taking. Jess Park may fancy it occasionally but is far more likely to continue to be used on the right.
Tooney can have quiet spells, occasionally goes missing, but is still capable of popping up with a piece of magic. The extra quality around her both challenges and encourages her. She now has to match that quality on a more consistent basis, but is aided in that challenge by not needing to drift into space to make things happen so much. She can link up well on either side, but particularly to the left, which works well with Malard who can drift inside and Anna Sandberg who is a more progressive full back than Gabby George.
The stage is set for Tooney to take the mantle and enter her prime as a footballer in the best environment for her. I’m confident she will flourish even more this season than ever before.
Anna Sandberg
Would Sandberg have started the season at left back if gabby George was fit? Who knows?
Should be first choice going forward? Absolutely.
I’ve long called for a similar left back to what we have in Jayde Riviere on the right. anna Sandberg is proving just that. Man Utd have always been about attacking full backs and with the solid midfield in front of an improved defence, the full backs have license to roam.
I could wax lyrical about more players and performances, we haven’t even seen much of Fridolina Rolfo yet, but most people probably won’t even have read this far.
Games will come thick and fast, the much maligned squad depth will be tested. Skinner knows we’re lacking, he’s said so, he’s also acknowledged w can do nothing about it now.
6 Champions League games to finish in the top 12 and challenge INEOS to put their hands in their pockets in January. It shouldn’t need this pressure, but this is where we are.
As fans, we want to challenge the club, but it’s important we support the team and enjoy the ride.
Couldn't agree more Andy! This is Tooney's time and what a great start to the season. We'll see how we measure up on Sunday against Arsenal; the first real test of our quality. Love the new signings and in her debut cameo Rolfo oozed class. Looking forward to those European nights at LSV and trying to work out if midweek trips to Turin, Madrid or Wolfsburg are in any way viable! Our early form certainly suggests we are in for an exciting and entertaining season, bring it on!