Poor pitches, low wages and conditions far behind the men’s teams’ are common problems – and that needs to changeThe bubble is bursting. Professionalism has pushed the Women’s Super League to new heights, but that growth has stretched to the limit the infrastructures, personnel and, let’s face it, the commitment of those involved in the game’s development.Although the postponement of all six games on Sunday was unavoidable, as storm Ciara battered Britain, the scattergun cancellation of eight games before that was not; because the pitches WSL teams play on are, overwhelming, not fit to host top-level professional teams. Birmingham’s home ground, Damson Park, the home of National League Solihull Moors, has seen two games abandoned. Prenton Park, where Liverpool Women...
Kim Little was sorely missed for Arsenal while poor refereeing and the state of pitches in the WSL were hot topicsA nervy, pressurised game in Manchester ended up with City victorious and Arsenal’s title hopes hanging by a thread. Joe Montemurro’s side are now outsiders in the race after losing to their nearest rivals in quick succession, and they badly missed Kim Little on Sunday. She did not even make the bench, presumably due to a knock, and it meant their link from back to front was badly disrupted. Vivianne Miedema became isolated as a result and, with Lia Walti’s absence in front of the back four also keenly felt, a lack of strength in depth was exposed again. They...
Arsenal reach new levels of performance in thrashing of Brighton as Cushing’s departure sees City lose ground at the top and all-star Chelsea look for more consistencyAnother week, another convincing win for Arsenal, this time 4-0 at Brighton. They just seem to win all their battles, individually and collectively, and are a level above most of the teams they encounter. The quality and consistency of their play is phenomenal. If you were to paint an abstract picture to illustrate this Arsenal side it would be colourful, it would have energy and there would be light and shade. I love the way their game can be about finding gaps in tight spaces, but sometimes Leah Williamson at centre-half plays a 60-yard...
Defender’s switch from Arsenal has hit a nerve but lack of historical enmity means it is not controversial in the slightestWhen the defender Emma Mitchell’s loan move from Arsenal to Tottenham was announced last Friday, it divided opinion. For some, it was a reverse Sol Campbell: men’s, women’s or youth football, it was crossing a line that should never be crossed.Except players switching between rival or derby teams is anything but rare in women’s football. This summer Jen Beattie swapped the league runners-up Manchester City for a second spell at the champions Arsenal. Tottenham signed the winger Gemma Davison, who has played for Liverpool and Chelsea and began her career at Arsenal. Alex Greenwood played for Everton and Liverpool, then...
Sam Kerr’s debut shows WSL is thriving as relentless Arsenal roll on but is there fresh hope for Liverpool’s survival bid?It doesn’t matter where you are: fans want to see big names and it was great to see such a large, mixed crowd turn out for Sam Kerr’s debut at Kingsmeadow. Her arrival at Chelsea feels like a gamechanger: the Australian is in her prime and it is the first time a player at her level has come over from the American league. We have seen Carli Lloyd, who played for Manchester City at a later stage of her career, and a few less-celebrated names make the switch but this signing feels different. The Women’s Super League is competing with...