Wolves Women entertain West Brom Women at the New Bucks Head, in a first derby clash since the County Cup final in May. Dan McNamara’s side were 4-1 winners on that occasion, while the old gold also completed the league double over their rivals last season. Johnson is relishing another local clash under the lights in Telford and dreaming of the perfect result in front of a bumper Wolves crowd.
On the meaning of the Black Country derby
“Honestly, it’s one of the biggest games of the season for me, especially being at home with our crowd in our favour, it’s going to be amazing.
“We want to get as many fans as we can there backing us and we want to make sure that we win. It’s definitely a must, and to score as many goals past them as possible.”
On playing under the lights
“It definitely makes it more special. A night game is just something else sometimes, especially against the Baggies. It’s something that just gets you up for it so much more, and if we can get the crowd there as well, under the lights, it will be perfect if we beat them.”
On scoring against the local rivals
“It would mean so much. Honestly, I think someone would have to calm down my celebrations if I do score. It would obviously mean a lot, but we need to win first and if a goal comes, that would be perfect.”
On having a celebration in mind
“I’ve been asking people what celebration they would like me to do because I’ve been using the same one since I was in the under-13s, but no-one’s given me any good ideas. If there are any good ideas then I will have to think of them before the Baggies game.”
On the game’s importance to McNamara
“Around the club, you can tell it means a lot to everyone, especially to Macca. He doesn’t usually have to say a lot in team talks because we can get ourselves up for it and we know what the games all about, we know it’s going to be a battle and we’re going to have to dig in, and it’s just going to be pure passion that will win the game.”
On breaking the 1,000-mark for supporters
“I think it’s definitely possible if we all get behind each other. The more fans that we can get there, the better it will be for us. It will just get us going more. I know last season there were big attendances as well, and I know that under the lights, with a big crowd, it will be a really good game. It’s going to be pure passion; it’s going to be whoever wants it more to win that game.
“It’s going to be all about the fans, all about the atmosphere and making sure we’re up for it. It’s going to be a pure passion battle. Who wants it that bit more, and I think the crowd will give us that extra edge.”
