Cclay

When I first started teaching (early 1980s) in Salford, there was not a Manchecter City fan, who would admit it in class. Move to Trafford. Again, same thing. Even the odd Bolton fan would pipe up before them. Wall to wall Manchecter United tops on dress as you please day. Cue take-over: hundreds of City fans crawl out of the woodwork. Dads wear City tops to parents evening. Claim to have supported them forever. Same people have Barcelona tops as well. Don't get me wrong, City fans always existed and came from many of the more deprived parts of the city. They just tended to get on with it and make little fuss about it. To answer the question: hate Manchester United (fans) (because they have no perspective) and toterate City fans (because they cause little drama).

respect

There are now, at least, two (or more) in every position. The exception being right wing (with only Beth Lumsden, as far as I know), assuming Haywood is not a winger ('forward' is a bit amorphous and her Twitter page isn't much help). Maybe Almirón could play there .

from here

Heavy but great article: Amber-Keegan Stobbs: 'I've always had that little storm inside'

Match replays etc. on YouTube channel.

and more

I've written this before, but a while ago. They used to be totally independent of NUFC and once wanted to play in the black & white strip, so had approached the club. This was not unreasonable as woman's football was beginning to develop in other areas of the country. I coached in Manchester and Manchester United would hold competitions so they could scout the best girls / women. They did a lot of community stuff, which was only screwed by the Glazers takeover, when they shuttered all the comunity stuff to save money (Remind you of someone?) That's why City became big (by poaching all the area's tallent) and Manchester United women had to beg to be let in the WSL. Anyway, NUFC put one of the Feddies (my memory tells me it was Fletcher) on Metro Radio to reply. He basically spent the whole time laughing at the idea of women playing football. The fat bastard was just as bad. That's why you didn't know they existed prior to Amanda.

With the stated ambition to be in the WSL, and starting in the third tier, it was always inevitable, unfortunately.

I'd agree with that.

Typical comment - 'Moan has signed for the Saudi's.' Big Time

Claudia Moan is now official.

4th (out of 10) in Serie A last year

Bristol were relegated from the WSL last year, so are now in the same league as us. She made 19 appearences last year and scored 1 goal. The highlight is her Wikipedia page: 'She has a very wholesome family with a famous dad and a famous son aldin hayles and sam hayles she loves them with her heart and has a lovely dog called emmy' Let's go. England under 19 and Jamaica. From official NUFC: During her first season with the Robins, she finished as the team's top scorer to help them secure promotion to the top flight - something Hayles also experienced during her time with Aston Villa. Becky says: I have briefly worked with Shania previously. She is fast, a great finisher and an incredibly humble but motivated player. From the leaving video she posted, does look a good finisher. That is something we need.

I'd agree the aim will be to consolidate. A third consecutive promotion may be a step too far. That said, the ambition will be the WSL and I'd guess last place will be out of consideration if previous closed-season transfers / public statements are anything to go by. It will definately be a step up, though.

I'd guess it's more complicated signing players, probably, already on professional contracts, which we'll be after if our, previous, recruitment from the league we're in / above is anything to go by. More is to dot and ts to cross. Going by what we've done before, players were signed well before any anouncement so the process is, no doubt, under way. Who knows, though.

Andy Cook has left to become head coach at Norwich City Women, continuing the need to rebuild. Good luck to him. He seemed like a positive influence.

We have players still on the books listed as 'forwards' but none that have reagularly played as striker. The only one, really, is Nicki Gears, who was injured as far as I recall. I agree with others, we have probably judged, correctly, that we'll need to recruit to compete at the next level. To be honest, we have got in with multiple guilt edged chances and not scored. That was o.k. at the previous level, as we usually scored enough to win. In the championsip (and, especially, the WSL), chances are more at a premium and you have to score a bigger percentage of those chances ... as the opponents will. Edit As for the goals, we lose Galloway's (17) but keep Barker's (14), Gibson's (14) and Mcquade's (12). Bailey-Gayle scored 7. As said elsewhere, Galloway seemed to tail off and Bailey-Gayle missed some sitters. Looks like they've taken notice, reckoned their returns will be less in the championship and decided to act (assuming it was purely the club's decision). Sad but that's where the woman's game is at the present time.

Was but seemed to trail off badly and has had little opportunity since PBG signed. She, often, has not scored when given the opportunity in the second half of the season. With PBG possibly going, it looks like they've looked at it and decided the leap up to a championship striker is too great to risk it. That is probably true, given the aim is to be promoted again, but sad for those involved. Football is a harsh game and is becoming that way in the woman's game if the aim is to be at the top.

their results

FA Player is free, but you need to sign up. Exploring Kenilworth Road for the ultimate cup final day - with fan zone Included!

Adam P highlights

here

Barker header

2-2 Dang (beaten by second). Go for the win now, hopefully. Seem to have been on top since the changes, unlike the first half - difficult to tell from this commentary, though.