Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor has challenged his players to try and win every game between now and the end of the season, starting with Sunday’s WSL derby clash with Manchester United.
City host Marc Skinner’s side at the Etihad Stadium, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, before making the short trip to take on United again in the League Cup on Wednesday night ahead of a WSL away game at Aston Villa in the early kick-off the following weekend.
Taylor has no qualms about the busy schedule, and is convinced his side need to win every WSL game in the second half of the season to stand a chance of closing down champions Chelsea, who are six points ahead of second-placed City at the top of the table.
“We have to win every game in the second half of the season, it’s as simple as that – and still it probably won’t guarantee you the WSL title, but we’ll see,” Taylor told Sky Sports News.
“We are coming into three games in six days which is tough for any squad and on top of that – with the injuries that we have – two Manchester derbies in there which are tough and intense games, where you’re not expecting it to be easy physically.
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“It’s the same for everyone, for anyone in the position that we are in the second half of the season. We’re right into it, and it’s about winning because the alternative is being out of competitions.
“To be thrust into three games is going to be really tough, but that’s fine. I think it’s really good for us. You just want that momentum in games, it’s hard to be really consistent, it’s hard to win consecutively.
“But we know we are capable. We know it’s tough but that’s the challenge – to win every game in the second half of the season. Our mentality has to be win every game.”
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Manchester United boss Skinner said he expects to rotate his squad for the double-header with City, adding Brazilian forward Geyse has been given personal leave and will miss this weekend’s game due to a tragedy in her family.
“I think there will be some rotation in both games,” said Skinner, whose side are just a point behind City heading into Sunday’s derby.
Manchester United forward Geyse is unavailable this weekend
“I think there will be different strategies to bring people in at different times, and to keep the freshness.
“We know how good Manchester City are as well, so to keep the freshness there will be adaptations for the game, for sure. I have no doubt about that.”
Returning players could be key in Manchester derby
Ella Toone is expected to be back in WSL action on Sunday
Sky Sports senior football journalist Charlotte Marsh:
It’s not been the easiest season for either Manchester club in terms of injuries. Manchester City have seen absences for Vivianne Miedema, Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw and Alex Greenwood. Manchester United too have been without Ella Toone.
But the good news is that Miedema and Toone have already made scoring returns to action. Both netted in the weekend’s FA Cup action, with the Man Utd midfielder scoring a superb goal.
Vivianne Miedema scored in the Women’s FA Cup last weekend
Both players can be game changers whether starting or not, and could be key in turning the game in favour of their sides in what could be a tight contest.
There’s currently one point that separates them in the table. Man Utd are currently outside the top three on goal difference, but could leapfrog their city rivals with victory this weekend. Man City will also want to keep pace with Chelsea at the top as they hope to mount a title challenge in 2025.
