'It's About The Process' - Miquel Previews Liverpool Test
On Thursday afternoon, new Manager Miquel faced the media ahead of the Barclays Women's Super League opener this weekend, in which Leicester will face Liverpool on Merseyside at Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday (2pm BST kick-off).
Below are the main talking points from the Manager's press conference...
Pre-season preparations
Miquel had the perfect chance to adjust to her new team, with a pre-season tour to Australia, in which the Foxes finished third in the Perth International Football Cup; beating West Ham United 5-2 in the second game at HBF Park.
On the pitch, the squad has also been boosted, including the arrivals of Ruby Mace and Noémie Mouchon, the latter having worked with Miquel before at Stade de Reims in France.
"It's been good," Miquel stated. "We've had some good build-up and the plan is starting to take form. We're doing things slowly and making sure everyone is understanding every part so it might take some time to be perfect, but the players are doing their best.
"We have made a good team out of the recruits and the ones that stayed. We have a good balance on who is starting, but also those who can offer something off the bench. We have a lot of choices which is ideal.
"Finding the starting XI is always hard, especially when everyone is fit, but that's a good thing for us heading into the season."
Starting the season
Four months since Leicester were last in WSL action, Miquel has been impatient for the start of the new campaign, but admits the process is the most important thing come Sunday afternoon, hoping that a good performance will translate to three points on the board.
"Of course, it will go home happier if we win, but right now I think it's about the process," the Manager continued. "We have to finish the game being happy with what we've shown and tried to do. If it's a win, then that's even better.
"We don't have a special target, in terms of points, but we have a process that we want to have on and off the field where we improve every game. We want to do better than what have been done in the past few seasons."
WSL expectations
Finishing 10th for the last two season's in a row, the Manager is hoping to break the glass ceiling and improve on previous years, going on to talk about the reasons behind her move to the East Midlands, and the ever-growing sport that is women's football in England.
Miquel added: "I think the whole package of the WSL is what attracted me to come here. The fans are amazing, you get to play in nicer stadiums, and I feel that the interest in the women's game here is growing very fast.
"That's great exposure for players but also managers like me to come into this league. We also have amazing facilities here with more staff which leads to being more precise, allowing the chance for us to focus on what we're good at. Everyone has their role which will benefit the process."