Wolves Women manager Dan McNamara has emphasised the importance of the Black Country derby ahead of this evening’s game at Molineux.
The Old Gold go up against their local rivals under the lights, and McNamara says the derby games are always ‘special’, however the manager believes the threat of Baggies this time around is greater than ever before.
On the preparations
“Preparations have gone really well this week. We’ve prepared for it as we would with any other fixture.
“We’re really excited for where it’s at, but we’re also really exciting to play West Brom in a Black Country derby on a Friday night, no matter whether it was at Bucks Head or Molineux.
“The girls have been excellent. We were in last night (Thursday) and we worked a few areas where we thought we could really exploit. The girls looked really sharp and I think excitement is the word we’d describe how the girls are looking going into the game.”
On previous games at Molineux and the derby
“We’ve had a lot of big games at Molineux over the last couple of years. The County Cup final, the Huddersfield game, and this is no different.
“It really excites the players for where it is, but it’s what it is – the Black Country derbies are always special. They’re a huge occasion.
“Fans have always told me these are the fixtures you don’t lose as the Wolves manager and players. Thankfully, over the last few years, me and my staff have had a really good record in this fixture and that’s something we want to keep going.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve done over the years with regard to this fixture, so the excitement’s building but it’s really important we stay grounded.
“It’s going to be an extra special night. The fact it is Albion does make it more special, but it’s important we focus on the job in hand and hopefully afterwards we can share the moment with our family and friends.”
On memories with previous staff and players
“The staff have changed over the last few years and I think back to the fond memories I’ve got with AJ, Marcus and Karl, and all the other great people who have worked for me over the last few years.
“Those are the kind of things you talk about when you see each other again. It’s exactly the same for the players.
“You think of your Laura Cooper’s, Ali Miller’s, Amy Dicken who have given so much to the football club over the years.
“In years to come, you see those people around and it’s just fantastic to talk about what we did do together.
“Only the other day I saw Ali Miller at the Newcastle game and we were having a little conversation over whether she’s coming on Friday. Even she was a little bit excited because she probably knows what that feeling’s like to walk out at Molineux and to represent Wolves there.”
On West Brom’s form
“Albion will be coming to spoil the party. Dare I say it, they haven’t been ahead of us in the league table for a long time and I think that’s evident now – they’re three points ahead of us, albeit we have got five games in hand.
“Points on the board and better than points to gain, so they’ll be coming here full of confidence.
“They’re a different animal nowadays. Shev has gone in there and put together a young side with little bits of experience and I think this is the best Albion team I’ve seen in the last three or four years.
“It’s going to be tough and they’ll come and want to spoil the party. If we apply ourselves in the way we did on Sunday for 70 minutes, then I’m really confident that the girls can go out and get the goals and points we need to get us back on track.”
On the impact the fans can have
“I hope all the crowd will get behind the girls because I think there will be a healthy crowd in there and what a way to spend a Friday evening.
“Hopefully they’ll be in fine voice because there will be some tough moments and moments where the girls need the crowd.
“Hopefully we can have their support and they can make it loud and hostile. We can certainly utilise that in the moments we need to.
“I’m really looking forward to it and I’d urge anyone to get themselves down to Molineux.”
