Bedford: Foxes Showing Signs Of Progression

- LCFC Women beaten 4-0 by Manchester City at Academy Stadium on Sunday
- Caroline Weir, Lauren Hemp, Julie Blakstad and Alex Greenwood scored for the hosts
- Foxes manager Lydia Bedford saw some promising signs in aspects of the performance
- All focus now turns to picking up points in the final two games of the WSL season, she adds

After a fairly quiet opening quarter of an hour, Caroline Weir broke the deadlock at Academy Stadium and although Leicester restricted the Citizens to limited opportunities for the rest of the half, two quick-fire goals from Lauren Hemp and Julie Blakstad asserted their control.

A fourth came via the penalty spot with Alex Greenwood converting from 12 yards and, reacting to the reverse, LCFC Women’s manager felt the players could take heart from a better performance across the pitch against high-quality opposition.

“We’re disappointed again to concede relatively early,” Bedford admitted to LCFC TV. “We focused on that first 15 minutes and we made it without conceding, which I guess is a positive.

“We’re disappointed to concede a couple right before the half, but I think when the players came in at half-time, they were reasonably confident that they were clear on what needed to be done in the second half and they managed that second half fantastically. To only concede one more at that point is good.”

The second 45 minutes also saw the Foxes move up the pitch more frequently, putting pressure on the home side while keeping Gareth Taylor’s side at bay for longer spells, despite the hosts’ need for as many goals as possible in the pursuit of third spot in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.  

The 34-year-old continued: “I think it was the plan throughout but undoubtedly Man City went into first gear in the second half, which might have created more opportunities for us to do that. I think what’s pleasing is that we limited the amount of opportunities they had in and around goal in the second half.

“Tactically, a few tweaks just allowed us to do that in wide areas, so I’m pleased with the girls taking on that information. It’s really pleasing from our perspective. Obviously it was nine goals against Chelsea, then five against Arsenal, so we are showing progression.

“I think out of the goals we conceded today, one was a penalty, one was a worldie right before half-time so actually when you weigh it up, I'm really pleased with the progression the girls have made.

“We spoke about trying not to concede in quick succession, which has been a problem for us in the past few games and obviously we had the two right before the half-time. The danger is that, in the second half, you let yourselves drop and that happens again, so I’m really pleased that it didn’t.”

The result leaves Leicester four points above Birmingham City in the WSL relegation zone with two matches to play, though the Blues have a game in hand. Looking towards those final fixtures of the season, against Reading and Tottenham Hotspur, the concentration will be on Leicester’s own 'controllables'.

Bedford added: “We know what’s in our control and that’s how we prepare for and perform in those next two games. I think we see both of them as equally important and I know that from Tuesday we’ll make sure we are focused on what we feel the right tactics are going into that Reading game.”