Kirk Aims For ‘Improved Performance’ Against Arsenal
After a narrow defeat to Liverpool last weekend, Barclays Women’s Super League football returns to Filbert Way this weekend, as the Gunners provide the next test for Leicester, who currently sit seventh in the standings with seven points.
Here are the main talking points from the Manager’s press conference at Belvoir Drive…
Winning Manager of the Month
Kirk won the WSL Manager of the Month award for the first time in his Leicester career this week, claiming it for the opening month of the 2023/24 campaign. Winning two and drawing one in the first four games, the 45-year-old commended the whole team’s effort for this achievement.
“What it tells you, is that the Club have worked tirelessly since the Brighton game in May, to try and improve things,” Kirk told the media. “That’s the reason I wanted a big group picture because since that last game, we knew what we wanted to do ahead of the new season.
“All that work over the summer has come to fruition. We’ve not been perfect or exactly where we want to be but it’s certainly a big improvement and I think the first Manager of the Month award is a true reflection of pre-season.
“You can win it any month if you get fixtures go your way, but winning it in the first month is a sign of intent and it shows the hard work that everyone at Leicester has put in to achieve that.”
Arsenal - Sunday's opponents
This week’s opponents have turned their early-season fortunes around with three WSL wins on the bounce, most recently against Manchester City as a late Stina Blackstenius goal cancelled out a Chloe Kelly equaliser and ensure three points for the London side.
Currently three points ahead of the Foxes, Kirk knows the quality that they can bring to the East Midlands, but is confident of City’s ability to produce a positive performance as the hosts look to get back to winning ways.
He added: “I think this is a really good game to follow after the Liverpool game. I spoke to the team about it yesterday; you can’t feel sorry for yourself and you can’t hide, otherwise you’ll feel even worse.
“We were frustrated after the Liverpool game because we never performed to the standard that we set in the early stages of the season, but this weekend give us the opportunity to put in a strong performance in front of our home crowd, like we have already done twice this season, and we hope to produce a third."
A positive atmosphere
The Foxes have already seen their best start to a WSL season, with seven points from the opening five games, but the former-Everton manager believes that even through the bad times, his Leicester side remain positive, with the help of the home fanbase.
“The positive attitude can get you through the bad moments and out the other end,” Kirk explained. “King Power Stadium is a great place to be at the moment with a real positivity around both the men’s and women’s team.
“I always have felt like there’s a good vibe here, and even when there was a tough spell for the Club towards the end of last season, it still felt like a breath of fresh air when we were training.
“We’ve found a way to put a positive spin on everything, and that helps with the collectiveness of the group, whether or not someone is playing, they have a part to play and I don’t think you can put too big an emphasis on enjoying what you do, but it certainly helps with what we’re trying to achieve here.”