Here are some key points he had to say…
On Crystal Palace’s start to the season…
“They're in the same position as we are. They've won a game and they've drawn a game. They're one of the only teams not to concede a goal this season, which obviously shows their defensive organisation is really strong. Their attacking play is very good and their one-v-one ability in their forward plays is very unique, so, they pose a huge threat. We know now every game we play, no matter who it is, you're going to have to be at your best to take a result.”
On how competitive the WSL season will be after the opening two games…
“The quality of the league, I said it before the season started in any media, this would probably be one of the most, if not the most competitive season in the WSL for a long time. This is because of the quality of players that have been recruited, the expansion of the league and more investment from clubs. More quality, as I said, not just with young players, but more experienced players either coming back to the league or being in the league or being recruited. So, then just individual developments of teams and squads, I think there's a lot of good work that goes on to enable these players to be at the top of their game, whether that's via coaching or whether that's their own individual work they do themselves. I think the league's just going to get stronger and stronger.”
On what drives him as a person…
“Not being satisfied with what I do today and knowing that there's someone always out there that's doing better than I am. Knowing that if I'm not at my best, then I don't perform, and I don't allow the players to be at their best, then I come away disappointed. But my biggest drivers are probably my family in terms of what they would expect and doing them proud. So, I make sure that every day when I'm in, I give absolutely everything to make sure that the players and staff come away in a good place.”
On whether he is happy with the start of the season…
“Really pleased. Happy with the players, happy with the team and the club as a whole. We bettered the result we got there last year [at Liverpool]. We conceded two really late [last season there]. I didn't think we got into much of a rhythm and when we did get into some spells with the ball, I thought we opened them up in three or four passes and got into really good goal-scoring positions but didn't capitalise on some of them. Then, at times, we were a little bit passive in some of the defending aspects that enabled them to get more of a foothold and probably progress a little bit too easy. But you also have to respect they're a good team. They play good football, they've got a wonderful manager and they've got good players. No matter what game you go into now, there's never a game I go in expecting to win. Every game is now competitive. We know after last weekend's performance, we have to be much better against Palace this weekend.”
On the busy period coming up with the Subway Players Cup set to get underway next week…
“It's going to be a busy period, but that's what you prepare for with your squad planning and your overview of your squad when you start the season. We've made sure we have more depth in terms of numbers, but you want to make sure that the profile and the characteristics of those players are different, so you can maybe attack and play slightly different. But what it does present is a massive opportunity for players to showcase what they can do. Even in the cup games, you're playing against real top WSL teams, so again, the competition level's going to be high. I expect everyone to be ready and able to perform when we call upon them.”
On balancing the competitively of the league but also remaining unpredictable…
“We will never change how we want to look and the way we want to behave, with ball or without the ball. But maybe just some small changes tactically to how you defend, what spaces you defend and where you set traps at times. Then with the ball, trying to utilise the different skill sets of the players. I think that's what makes you unpredictable when you have squad depth, is that no player is exactly the same in terms of what they give you and then making sure that those players are able to perform at their highest level to make it unpredictable for the opponent.”
Predict the score | Crystal Palace vs Spurs
On what the personal goals are this season after an unbeaten start to the campaign…
“A positive start in terms of being unbeaten. A good performance in the first game, maybe not as good in the second game, which we reflected on, and we analysed really well. Then, there's been a really good opportunity this week to train on certain aspects that we want to be better with and then going forward, a big thing I emphasize to the players, no matter if it's start of the season or middle or end, is we don't get carried away with one performance, one result, because the next one will come around very quickly and level you up. We need to make sure that every performance we have, we reflect, we analyse, we come back in really grounded and we look forward to the next performance because every game in this league, as I said, is competitive and any opponent on their day can be very dangerous.”
On being prepared for any London derby…
“We've had many of them now and you have a lot more of them with the amount teams that are based within London. I think if I've got to motivate players to want to play in a London derby, then I'd be a little bit concerned. I don't think I have to with this group. They know, especially the players from London, they know what it means more to play in a derby more than I do. I've now got an understanding of that and then the players who are from London will be able to give that experience and exposure to the players who are new to the Club or not from England itself. I don't have to motivate the players. They know what's expected. They know what it means to play a London derby for this football Club. We've shifted that mindset quite well in the last probably fifteen, sixteen months.”