‘It’s going to be a whole squad effort’ – Oxtoby.

The Robins come into the fixture against the Villians off the back of the three unbeaten games in all competitions, which Oxtoby believes to have given the playing group much needed confidence heading into a busy period.

City Women face three fixtures inside eight days as Oxtoby’ team follow-up their entertaining 1-1 draw against Reading with games against Aston Villa this evening and West Ham United on Sunday (December 13^th, 2pm).

Positive performance vs Royals

"The pleasing thing from the game at the weekend was all the points we asked the players to do, they executed.

"We asked them to stay in the game and we asked them not to give up. Reading are a great side and they’re going to make chances, so we asked the group to be dangerous on the counter and be positive when they were on the ball. We created a lot of chances."

Growing in confidence

“We’ve now gone three games unbeaten in all competitions and that has given the girls some confidence going into an important game. It’s the second of a three-game week and we’re in a good place.

“I’ve been asked a lot about what the main focus has been with the group and it has been to give them confidence. They’ve had such a tough start to the season and my job as a manager is to make sure they have clarity in terms of what they’re going after and to have the confidence to execute that.

“We’ve begun to get our rewards for having the confidence to go out there and execute what is required, but we can’t take our foot off the gas now."

Squad effort

“We’re at home, we need to make sure that we manage the game well, because it’s our second game in four days and go out there and be positive and look to get a result.

“It’s going to be a whole squad effort, whether you’re starting or coming on to impact the game. Everyone has to know their roles and execute. It’s going to be a squad effort to get through this busy period of three games in eight days with only sixteen players available.

“I’ve said to the girls that we want to come out of this week feeling really good about the work that we have put in, and hopefully the results will reflect that.”