The old gold last paid a visit to the Hornets back in April 2021, when a 4-1 FA Cup victory provided a memorable day out and a shock result, with the home side a tier above at the time and expected to win. This time, a place in the final is the prize for the successful team at Grosvenor Vale and McNamara has challenged his players to create more memories, while calling on supporters to get behind the girls ahead of a challenging period of league and cup action.
On the mood going into the game
“It’s a semi-final of a national trophy and the girls are really excited. Any semi-final you’re looking forward to it and you’re excited to get out there.
“Because it’s Watford and the memories we made down there a couple of years ago when we played them in the FA Cup, that just adds to it.
“We’re looking forward to it. It’s a new challenge and one which we haven’t had over the last couple of years. We’re really excited to test ourselves against some really outstanding footballers.”
On the previous game at Watford
“It was fantastic. It was in the middle of Covid or just on the way out of it and we weren’t meant to win the game.
“We caused an upset, so they’re fantastic memories and I keep saying the game’s about making memories. It’s too short to not go out there and make memories.
“We still look back on that two years on. Seeing the pictures over the last couple of days has reignited those feelings that we had down there.”
On the match-up this time around
“We’ll go down there again as underdogs. Watford have got to be favourites with regards to where they’re at and the home advantage.
“They’re a very different Watford team (from last time). The management is different and he’s brought in some great players.
“If anything, that probably spurs them on. No doubt a couple of them still have it in their memory which won’t be a nice feeling. They’ll be looking to put that right.
“It probably plays into Watford’s hands. We’ve got to put that aside now and look to play another game and see if we can make it through to the final.”
On the expectations from his team
“There are always minimum requirements. We want to see everything we see week in week out.
“We knew the season was going to be difficult and it was never going to be like last year. We had a target on our back and everyone wants to beat the champions.
“We’ve seen that this year and in certain moments we’ve probably struggled to deal with that. We felt this cup was probably one that has eluded us over the last few years – we haven’t progressed as far as we would’ve wanted to and we challenged the girls to the semi-final, which they’ve achieved.
“Obviously that doesn’t suffice. We’re in the semi-final of a national cup and want to get to the final and make a memory.”
A final four clash against the Hornets.
— Wolves Women FC (@WolvesWomen) March 1, 2023
🆚🐝
On the part the fans can play
“Over the next few weeks we’ve got some huge games and it starts on Sunday. We’ve seen the fanbase grow year on year and this year’s probably been up there with the best since I can remember.
“London Wolves have been making a bit of noise that they’re going to be down there and hopefully a lot of our regular fans can join them.
“It does help you through difficult moments. We think back to the West Ham game where there were 1700 people there and that played a huge part in what was a very successful result for us.
“It’s the start of a really tough few weeks and we know what delights we’ve got to look forward to as we head to the middle of March.
“We don’t want to look past Watford. We want the fans to try and get down, get behind the girls and spur us on into that final.”
