Dan McNamara gave his assessment after Wolves Women were beaten 4-2 on the road at Bristol City on Sunday afternoon.
Amber Hughes opened and finished the scoring at Ashton Gate with a fine double, but four Bristol City goals either side of the half-time break meant Wolves suffered their third away defeat of the season.
McNamara says his side will have learnt lessons from the defeat against one of the division’s top sides.
On a ‘reality check’ for his side
“I think you don't want to come away and you don't want to come away and concede four goals. But I think it's probably a reality check of where we're at. After a really positive start, we probably got a little bit ahead of ourselves. But listen, they are top side.
“They're outstanding. I think there were moments in the game we couldn't get near them.
“As I said before the game, the table probably lies in a sense with Bristol City. They've had a poor start to the season by their standards and they're just starting to find their feet now.”
“It's those moments, those learning moments that are costing us again. All we can do is keep supporting the girls and keep working with them. It’s still early in the transition into WSL 2
“So we've got to just keep fighting, stick together and keep trying to develop them.”
On a fast start and Amber Hughes’ goals
“Amber has been fantastic again. She has ran herself into the ground and another couple of goals at this level is fantastic for her. She started really brightly but then it felt like we probably lost a little bit of belief in what we’re doing.
“Then the next thing you know, when you switch off at this level, within 15 minutes we’re 3-1 down.”
On recovering quickly and preparing for two cup matches
“The beauty about football is you get another opportunity to do it all again on Wednesday. We’re disappointed at the minute, but we'll recover quickly and go again. There are some tough games at this level.
“We're back into cup season now with those two games and facing a brilliant WSL side in Brighton. For so long we've strived and worked hard to be at this level and now you have to embrace it.
It doesn’t get any easier with WSL opposition coming to Telford. It’ll be amazing for the fans and amazing for us as a group. But you know, we don't just want to turn up. We've got to compete. I think that's what pleased me today in moments, we competed.
“I think towards the end of the game we we're still competing and we're still in it. So we're not miles out of our depth. I think that's clear to see. At the minute we're not swimming above water. We’ve got to find ways to hang in there a little bit longer and to be a bit more resolute when it comes to defending our goal.”
