Watford Coach Satisfied Despite Defeat To Sheffield United

Written by Oluwaseun Oyediji

Head Coach of Watford FC Women, Clinton Lancaster says his side played well despite their 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Sunday in the second tier, English Women’s Championship.

More Details…

“I think in the first half we played okay really,” he told watfordfc.com afterward. “We had chances to get back into the game.

“Even at 2-0 down I thought we were playing well enough to get a goal, but again we’re going into half-time two down and that makes it an uphill task in this league, it’s just not good enough.

“We’re working as hard as we can, we’re doing all that we can as staff to put the right things in place. It’s got to turn around at some point and it’s got to turn around quick.”

There were a number of absentees for Sunday’s game, which was compounded even further when the side had to be changed after Megan Chandler picked up a knock in the warm-up.

Two further injuries would follow during the match. Despite the less than ideal preparation, Lancaster still felt his side should have been showing more than they did.

“The players out there should know and do better, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “We’ve got a good enough squad and the players that we feel can come off the bench and do something to make an impact.

“The injuries aren’t ideal, but we’ve built what we feel is a strong squad. At the moment there just seems to be, almost a lack of desire with recovery runs, wanting to get the ball and getting in the box, I can’t put my finger on it.”

LATEST POSTS

One of the factors making life more difficult for the Hornets is a trend of conceding the first goal in games. Watford has yet to score the opening goal in their first four fixtures.

That’s a statistic that all involved with the squad will be looking to change when Charlton Athletic visits Vicarage Road on Saturday (October 2).

“Getting the first goal is massively important,” explained Lancaster. “We can’t keep going behind like that, and if we do, we need to respond better than we’re doing at the moment.

“It’s a big week for all of the squad now, because next up at home is a tough game against Charlton. We’ll see, but fingers crossed we can get a result in that match at Vicarage Road.”

Two first-half goals from Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Lucy Watson gave Sheffield United a two-goal lead before the latter converted the host’s third goal in the 49th minute.

The defeat condemned Watford FC Women to its fourth straight defeat of the season in their first four English Championship games.

Meanwhile…

Sheffield United occupy the first position and is in early pole position to gain promotion to the top flight Barclays English FA Women’s Super League (WSL) with its 3-0 triumph over Watford FC.

Sheffield United is top of the English Women’s Championship table on superior goal difference ahead of Durham which had a 0-2 win at Bristol City.

Sunderland is in the third position with eight points after holding Lewes FC to a 1-1 draw while Liverpool and London City Lionesses have seven points apiece.

2021/2022 English Women’s Championship Week Four Results

Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace

London City Lionesses 2-2 Coventry United

Sheffield United 3-0 Watford FC

Sunderland 1-1 Lewes FC

Bristol City 0-2 Durham

Charlton 2-0 Blackburn

Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

About Author

Oluwaseun Oyediji

I am a huge advocate of Women’s football after covering the Nigeria Women Football Leagues (NWFL) since 2019. An unbiased football writer with penchant for women’s in sports and historical analysis.

See author's posts