Impetus’ Ellie Ramsauer was in Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Hope Powell‘s media conference for us ahead of today’s game with Tottenham Hotspur. The former Lionesses chief outlined how preparations have gone and what she needs to see from her side against the North London outfit (30/10/22).
Above: Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Hope Powell looked ahead to today’s game with Spurs. Photo: Brighton and Hove Albion Women.
Hope Powell’s Brighton and Hove Albion have no new injury concerns ahead of today’s important WSL game with Tottenham Hotspur.
Whilst injury news is positive, the head coach conceded that there are “still some tired minds from last Sunday’s game (against Chelsea), but apart from that, everyone’s okay so far.”
Despite results not going Brighton’s way recently, including that result against Chelsea in which they lost 2-0, Powell remains positive as she believes that the game against the defending champions was “the best we’ve performed this season,” and that Brighton “matched them for a large proportion of the game.” She also noted that, in the game her side “created more chances than we probably have before against Chelsea”.
Whilst Powell was also “pleased with the attitude” her side displayed against the Champions League contenders, especially with “how the squad came together [and] really had a good go, and made it very, very difficult for a very good side.” However, she conceded that, ultimately, “it is about results.”
Looking ahead to today’s game in which Brighton face a Tottenham side that have had a mixed start to the season with two wins and two defeats under Rehanne Skinner, Powell states that “having looked at them, they look very organised, very strong, very aggressive [and] move the ball very well.”
The former Lionesses head coach also noted that they “have some very experienced players in there,” and that she “knows it’s going to be tough.”
In order to beat Tottenham, Powell believes that Brighton will have to be “as aggressive” as this Tottenham side and that they will “have to be up for the fight if we want to get something out of the game.”
In terms of preparation for this Sunday’s game, Brighton have “worked on strategy” including “what we look to do when we haven’t got the ball [and] what we look to do when we’ve got the ball.” In particular, “finishing is one that we always look at.”
Further, Powell believes that overall, what she needs to see from her team is: “a positive attitude in the way we want to play. If we’re really aggressive, if we really help each other and really work hard for each other, I think it’s proved in the past that it gives us the best chance to perform well.”
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