Dan McNamara believes a trust in the process has helped Wolves Women be so successful in previous Black Country derbies.
However, the manager knows that results last season and beyond count for nothing as his side go head-to-head with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon. McNamara believes the Baggies will pose Wolves with their toughest derby test yet after a summer revamp of the squad, but he is confident that his players are up for the battle.
McNamara is also hopeful that he will be able to call upon the services of Amber Hughes, after the club produced a mask to help speed up the return of the prolific striker following a fracture to the face which has kept her out of action for a number of weeks.
On the Black Country derby
“It’s always exciting, the first one of the year. We’ve had a great record in the Black Country derby these last few seasons and the girls are excited and looking forward to going into Sunday.
“We’ve got a few new players so they’re obviously anxious and a little bit nervous about what to expect.
“I heard a couple of them talking the other day in training and asking the players to describe it in one word – a few people said ‘tense’, ‘intense’ and ‘beefy’. One said ‘beefy’ but I think she meant combative by that.
“Everyone’s excited and as I said, the new players are really looking forward to experiencing what should be a great occasion.”
Focus on derby day 📸 pic.twitter.com/iPc1D4KAC2
— Wolves Women FC (@WolvesWomen) October 19, 2023
On why his team have been so successful in previous derbies
“The group have just really trusted in the process over the last five or six years and the record speaks for itself.
“We can’t really look into that too much heading into Sunday. I say this year on year every time we play them.
“You have to park it and all that emotion, all those records. At the end of the day, it really does come down to what happens on the day over those 90 minutes.
“Ultimately, it’s who wants to perform and earn the three points the most.”
On the task in hand
“I think it will be the toughest one we’ve faced in a long time. It’s a new revamped West Bromwich Albion who are probably in a bit of a transition period where they’re bringing in fantastic young players and I know Shiv (Siobhan Hodgetts-Still) has got them playing some great football.
“I think it will be a tough one. We’ll see a real battle on Sunday but hopefully the girls can prepare well this week and we can make sure that we come out on top come Sunday afternoon.”
On the injury situation
“We’ve spoken about missing Amber (Hughes) for large part of last season. It was a terrible challenge to put her out over the course of the last few weeks.
“That fracture is slowly healing and we’re hopeful for Amber this weekend. We’ve had a mask made for her and we’re hopeful that she’ll be able to get through that. We’re looking forward to seeing her back on the pitch.
“H (Helen Dermody) and Robbo (Beth Roberts) are probably in doubt if I’m honest and a little bit further behind than Amber.
“We’re working every day to try and get them back on the pitch. Hopefully we can get them there but if not, it’s a really big and strong group of players that we’ve got.
“If those two don’t make it, I know there are girls waiting in there to step up, perform and be part of their own occasion.
“We’ll be ready, no matter what the eleven and 16 look like. It might just come a little bit too soon for a couple of players.”
On the support from the fans
“Even away from home, it’s been fantastic. With the men’s team playing on the Sunday last week, we thought we would see a drop in the attendance but I actually think it creeped up from previous weeks.
“We saw at the Hawthorns last season, I think we outnumbered Albion at the men’s home ground which was fantastic.
“It’s going to be a great occasion. They know what they’re going to get, the supporters, so hopefully they can turn out in their droves on Sunday.
“It’s always tough and it’s always a battle, but hopefully they can be there to support us through the tough moments.
“We’ve enjoyed creating memories with the supporters over the last couple of years and we want them to be part of another one on Sunday.
“If they can get there, then get down and hopefully we can make it another win against our Black Country rivals.”
