Dan McNamara has praised his players for rounding off pre-season with a 3-2 victory against Ipswich Town.
Wolves Women completed their preparations at Compton Park on Sunday afternoon and manager McNamara has given his thoughts on the performance ahead of the season opener against Stourbridge, the three goals his side scored and young players coming into the fold after gaining experience on loan last season.
On the performance against Ipswich
“I thought the girls were excellent. We know what Ipswich are capable of this season, I think they’re red-hot favourites to go on and win the south. They’re another full-time opposition we’re coming up against so for the girls to not only go behind in the second half but turn it round and have the physical fitness and mental resilience to come back is credit to them.
“We were really good. We defended the pitch really well and we talked about this being our hardest pre-season game. I thought the girls were fantastic and we limited them to very little – it was probably a mistake in the second half that allowed them to take the lead.
“Overall, it rounds off a fantastic seven-week pre-season and the girls have been a credit to the club as they always are.
“It’s been difficult and we’ve had some difficult weeks, but they’re towards where we need them to be heading into what will be an arduous and really tough campaign. If we put performances in like that, I think we’ll do really well.”
On Tammi George’s performance and the three goals
“We know what Tammi’s like without the ball and I thought she was remarkable today. She was outstanding in everything she did.
“She’s got a point to prove because it’s taken us some time to get her to commit here. She’s got a lot of interest and that’s what happens when you’re a great player.
“Credit to her and I’m really proud of the fact she’s put her development for the next 12 months in me and the staff. She started today as she means to go on, I thought she was outstanding.
“The goal comes from her own hard work – that out of possession stuff that we know she’s so good at. She put us ahead quite early on.
“Amber’s (Hughes) Amber on the edge of the box. If you give her half a chance, she’ll score goals.
“The one I was really pleased with was Charlotte’s (Greengrass). She’s been working really hard to try and get up to the match minutes we need her to.
“I shouted on that she’s got five minutes left and can you put us ahead. All of a sudden, we come up with a great move. KJ (Katie Johnson) ends up in a really nice pocket for a soft cross and on the end of it is Charlotte with a fantastic header.”
On Josie Smith returning from loan and opportunities for young players
“Josie epitomises that, KJ as well. There’s been a few of them now, but Josie’s the one this season.
“I thought she was superb for 15 minutes and she’s got to be patient now for this next season. She’s not worked her way into the eleven yet, she’s very much part of that 20/22-player squad.
“She’s now got to push to try and work into the 11, but there’s good players to knock out of that 11. That’s got to be her focus and to do that she’s got to come on and influence games like she did today.
“I thought she was outstanding and nearly got herself on the scoresheet with a really well taken opportunity.
“Amelia Hiscox going on and getting seven minutes as a 16-year-old, she was literally 16 a couple of months ago.
“She’s come out of that under-16s group this year and there aren’t many people who will make the step up to senior football from 16s, but she’s one that she’s proven she can do it.
“She’s happy to get on the ball, she’s tidy on the ball, she’s aggressive without it. I think she’s a 16-year-old Summer Holmes and if we can mould her to something like what Summer is and the qualities she’s got over the next two or three years then I think we’ll have ourselves a fantastic young player.”
On the opening fixture against Stourbridge
“It’s great to be back at the Bucks Head and a shame that it was moved today and we couldn’t hold it there.
“The girls are really excited. It will be the first opportunity for some of them to play at the Bucks Head, so hopefully there will be a lot in there.
“We want to get 500/600 people in there watching every game but certainly a local derby.
“It will be tough. Our analyst has been away watching them today and we don’t want to underestimate anybody in the league and we’ve got to start strong.
“Two or three weeks into the season we play Nottingham Forest and Burnley back-to-back so we’ve got to make sure we’re putting points on the board, and that starts next Sunday.”
The girls will be working hard this week so we’re ready for next week.
