'Our Job Is To Stop Their Progress' - Miquel Previews Brighton Challenge
During Thursday's press conference at Belvoir Drive, the Manager spoke about the tough challenge that awaits against the Seagulls this weekend, the unfortunate injures that plague the squad and how she's been adjusting to life in the Barclays Women's Super League...
Facing Brighton
Winning three of their first five outings, the Seagulls will prove to be fierce competition for LCFC Women, but Miquel believes her team will be up the challenge as they look to build on their first win of the season, coming just before the break.
"They are a team that has changed manager like us and had a change of players as well and they're doing well," City's Manager said. "They've had a good start to the season but it's also impressive for them to maintain it, so we'll see how long they can keep going.
"Our objective is to stop that and make our progress a bit better, but it'll be a difficult game because they do things that are interesting with experience in the squad."
Talking about firepower
During the press conference, Miquel confirmed that summer signing Noémie Mouchon has sustained an ACL injury and will be sidelined for the remainder of her debut season.
Also currently without the likes of Jutta Rantala and Shannon O'Brien, she understands the difficult nature of the situation but believes the squad are determined to step up to the mark.
"If I didn't think we had enough to score and win the game, we wouldn't go," Miquel stated. "My feeling right now is that we have players in the squad that can score goals, even if they're not naturally forward players.
"They all know how to play and we will always try to have the right player for each position because they know it better and they know what to do.
"But in the end, we want to defend well like we have done in the last few games but look to improve on our scoring. We have to take the positives our of recent performances. Maybe we are lacking offensive players but it will reveal players that can play higher and surprise us and we have to have the trust within the squad."
Adjusting to the WSL
Five games into her first season in the division, the 40-year-old was asked about her adjustments to English football, and while the injuries mentioned have added some harsh factors into the environment, she has been enjoying her time in the East Midlands and has been proud of the team's positivity and ability to learn a new system.
"It is one of the best leagues in the world and we are lucky to be one of the few teams that play our games at the main stadium," Miquel continued. "That's ideal for us.
"The start has been slow and we are going through difficulties with injuries but I still believe that a good mentality is the key. Our squad may be reduced in terms of numbers but I think this means each player gives us more."