Keeley Davies, left, battles for possession in Sunday’s defeat. Picture: Jeff Bennett.
COVENTRY United Ladies manager Jay Bradford wants to see her side have more of a say in the possession stakes going forward, in the wake of last weekend’s 5-0 FA Women’s Championship defeat to Liverpool.
The Red and Greens were outgunned by the rampant hosts at Prenton Park, going down to goals from Becky Jane, Ceri Holland, Melissa Lawley and a Niamh Fahey brace in a defeat which keeps United firmly locked in the relegation battle in tenth position.
Going into the game with real momentum after a shock victory over London City Lionesses just a week earlier, Bradford felt her side had needlessly surrendered the game plan which had worked so well previously.
“We’ve undone all of the good work in my opinion,” she said.
“Some of the goals are completely avoidable on our part.
“There were some good individual performances, but one or two of those don’t make a collective – so we’ve got to look at that.
“We need to look at ourselves in possession, I thought out of possession shape wise we looked OK, none of the goals came from a lack of shape on our part.
“For me, it’s a transition thing, when we get the ball we have to look after it – particularly when we haven’t had it for 11 or 12 passes.
“If we can start to build through the thirds and play a little bit, we will cause damage to teams.”
Looking ahead, the next task at hand does not get much more difficult than a bout with runaway league leaders Leicester City – who triumphed 9-1 in the reverse fixture – in less than two weeks time.
“It will be a really tough task for us, but if we can iron a few of our problems out, then we can put our best foot forward.
“I don’t think it matters at this stage of the season whether you have a break or go into the next fixture. It’ll allow us to recoup a couple of players with knocks and niggles.”
