The Women's Rolling Football Thread season 2023-24

[DuncinToffee]

Calling all football fans to discuss all things related to the beautiful game

Let us know who you support

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cqvnqyw6e23o

This is great to hear about too. Not just because it's developing women's sports medicine but all these initiatives together makes me believe that they believe in women's football as a potential "billion-pound business", as Karen Carney called it.

Fran Kirby is leaving Chelsea

Gosh! It really is the end of an era there. Do you think it's connected to Emma Hayes' departure, or is it more that she wants to play a bit more and this seems like an opportune moment to make the break?

Just saw Laila Harberts brilliant goal for the England U17s on the bbc website just now.

Good result in the end for you Gunners

Yes, wasn't entirely expecting that.

I think that Blackstenius will be leaving at the end of the season. She hardly even hugged Russo after her second goal.

I got that feeling too, MustTryHarder. I hope we're wrong. She wants to start more games, which is understandable. But the thing is, Stina plays really well when she plays angry, when she has a point to prove.

That was the best result. If Chelsea get past Spurs, Chelsea and City will have to duke it out on the final day and go for it with goals. Advantage Chelsea now, though.

@BellaAmorosa

Yes, I also think that we play well when Stina and Russo start together.

Did you see Laila's goal:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/1ckp6ic/arsenal_midfielder_laila_harbert_scores_for/

That's lovely from Harbert! I must remember to catch the remaining games.

She's been voted Golden Girl of the season by the fans at Watford Women - I think it's their best young player award or something like that.

Just further thoughts about the match.
Why couldn't Gareth Taylor have brought on Steph Houghton at 87 minutes instead of Alanna Kennedy? Club legend (for both Arsenal and City), vastly experienced defender at a time when his side were coming under extreme pressure. It would have lifted and calmed the players and the fans and frankly, it was what Houghton deserved. Poor management from Taylor.

I personally think Gareth’s decision to bring on Alanna instead of Steph was the right one. Steph has been a great servant to the game, but Alanna is a better defender and all round player than Steph, and her arial ability is better too. (Chelsea equalised against City to grab a draw when Alanna went off the pitch because of cramp in the dying stages of their game back in October (I think it was)). I also believe Gareth’s decision shows the progression of the women’s game, no time for sentimental substitutions, the title race is going to the wire and has for the past couple of season’s.

Fair points. But I don't see it as a purely sentimental substitution - what was needed was to calm nerves and provide leadership when they were holding on to a 1-0 lead. I suppose, unlike you, I don't rate Alanna Kennedy all that highly. We (Arsenal) would have brought on the now departed Jen Beattie in the same situation (and probably would have gone to a back three). Our fifth choice centre back at the time. And let's face it, we scored twice after Kennedy came on.

Isabella Fisher got a hat trick against Sweden today.

We seem to have some really good young players.

Damn, I forgot to watch again!

I do kind of agree with this, but also I guess you could argue the flip side...if he'd brought her on and the same thing had happened, would people then be blaming a 'sentimental' substitution for City losing the game?

The best thing for women's football and the WSL is that this now sets up a very exciting end to the season. You really couldn't make it up ... what happened last Sunday was just so unlikely and yet it did actually happen!

IronGwazi
I do think both sides are arguable, but all Gareth Taylor could have known was that his side was under a lot of pressure and starting to panic - that's how it seemed to me, anyway. So I would have used SH. That situation is why you have experienced players on the bench.
Anyway, water under the bridge, the City fan is happy with it and we (Arsenal) are happy with the result, so all good.

Steph Houghton has had an unbelievable career but has played just 33 mins in the WSL season.

As a neutral, it’s Chelsea’s to lose now, can’t see either spurs or man united having enough in the tank for the Chelsea train. Happy to be wrong though!

I also think manager of the season should go to Matt Beard, what he has done with his LFC team is remarkable!

I can't see Chelsea losing it either, unfortunately. They laid down a marker with the 8-0 win over Bristol City. And without Bunny Shaw, City aren't going to make up the goal difference.

I agree about Matt Beard.

https://x.com/SkySportsWSL/status/1788871614785872158

The nominees for the WSL Player of the Season have been announced

My choice is Bunny Shaw

That is a very tough choice. Lotte Wubben-Moy is Arsenal player of the season, no question. But how to pick between her, Bunny Shaw, Grace Clinton and Khiara Keating... Incidentally, for Chelsea, I would have picked Cuthbert ahead of either James or Charles, though Charles has come on a lot.
I might have to go with Bunny Shaw.

Good luck to Spurs and Man United today. I can't bring myself to support Spurs, so it's Man U I'll be rooting for, but I hope it's a cracking game and nobody is injured or sent off. May the best team win.

It will be good to see a new name on the trophy.

Come on you Spurs!

Vivian Miedema will be leaving Arsenal.

Sorry it wasn't to be, you have had a great season.

Congratulations to Man U - really good performance. I thought Garcia was especially good yesterday. When Toone was driving towards goal, I was telling the telly "pass, pass, don't try and shoot from there... What a goal!" Very much the Lionesses version of Ella Toone, that strike.

Bad luck, Spurs. Mistakes were punished, but I thought they played well - there's a strong identity and good defensive platform. Lovely football at times - throughout the season, actually. Final balls were just not working out but the experience will stand them in good stead, very much as Man U's did.