- LCFC Women beat Everton 5-1 on Wednesday evening in the Continental Tyres League Cup
- Manchester City’s win meant that Leicester exited the competition at the group stage
- Sam Tierney scored and assisted one at Pirelli Stadium
- She is savouring the chance to play in a more advanced role this term
Following a narrow 1-0 loss to Aston Villa last Friday, the Foxes returned to winning ways in style, putting five past the Toffees, but results elsewhere meant that City would bow out of the Continental Tyres League Cup at the group stage.
Unable to affect what was happening in Manchester, Tierney explained how they kept concentration on their own game and were happy to get the job done, although the midfielder believes she could’ve scored more.
“We knew going into this game that progression to the next round was out of our control, all we could do was focus on our performance,” she told LCFC.com. “I thought it was a good reaction from Friday night, we needed to be more aggressive and dominant, and we showed that.
“It was a great win, but we know that’s over, and the cup is done, so we need to turn focus to Sunday and be prepared for when we face Everton again.
“Personally, I’m a bit disappointed. I think I had more chances so that’s something I need to look at, but I’m enjoying being higher up the pitch, and transitioning to that role and getting more involved with freedom in the final third.”
Tierney started her Leicester career as a central defender before moving into an anchor role in the middle of the park. However, more recently, fans would’ve noticed her further up the pitch.
Explaining her position in the team, the former Sheffield United player spoke about the Manager’s influence, and shed some light on what she is being asked to do on the pitch.
“When Willie [Kirk] first came in, he instilled that confidence in me that I could be an attacking midfielder,” the 25-year-old stated. At the start of the season, I had to play as a holding midfielder, which I enjoyed, but now we’ve got Saori [Takarada] and Aimee [Palmer], who are two good players.
“He wants me to be in the pockets between lines and connect play, and hopefully add more goals and assists to my game. Hopefully, that’s something that I can keep improving on.
“The ability we’ve got with some of the players in the squad is impressive and we’re starting to connect quite nicely and that’ll come with time. We have different options in different areas which allow us to change tactics and elements which is something we’ve needed.”
This weekend sees City take on Everton once again, this time in the Barclays Women’s Super League at Walton Hall Park, and the Fox remains confident ahead of the upcoming challenge.
Tierney added: “You can think that there would be complacency with us facing Everton again this weekend but I’m sure everyone in that dressing room would have put this game out of their minds already, and we know it’s all about preparing for this weekend.
“We know we have to be better in the league and start picking up points, so that starts this weekend and I’m sure we’ll be ready to go by the time of the first whistle.”