Phillips: Squad showed its strength in win over Blues

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Albion defeated Birmingham 3-0 in the Conti Cup.

Colin Tattum

2023-10-12T09:00:00Z

Melissa Phillips's team have won two of their opening three games of the new season.

Melissa Phillips says she is delighted with the strength in depth of her squad.

The women's first team head coach made nine changes to the team that was beaten by West Ham on Sunday for the opening Conti Cup group game against Birmingham City.

And it included eight players being handed their full debuts for the club.

Albion left St Andrew's with an impressive 3-0 victory - making Phillips understandably happy.

"To come away with three goals and a clean sheet... and there's still loads we can improve upon in possession," Phillips assessed.

Our three recruits from Sydney FC - Madison Haley, Mackenzie Hawkesby and Charlie Rule - made their full Albion debuts against Birmingham.

"It was a very different game from first-half to second. They sat in, we had a lot of possession and we probably needed a bit more movement off the ball from the higher lines in the first-half.

"Second-half they came out and pressed us. I think there are moments in transition where we can be a bit tidier on the ball to manage possession in our half.

"But, ultimately, three goals, a clean sheet and a lot of different players started the game. A lot of different players came in and managed the match really well."

Phillips had selected the same starting XI for the opening two WSL games of the season.

"It was important that we used our full squad, and we did that. It's great to see how deep we are and how much our identity still came through in both halves.

Melissa Phillips joined Albion in April 2023.

"Ultimately we will take a lot of momentum from the positive feeling and build that into the weekend."

Charlie Rule got Albion going at Birmingham when she headed in the opener, before substitutes Katie Robinson and Elisabeth Terland netted after the break.

"It's a luxury to be able to bring on five subs and see the impact they have and how they are able to manage things so well," said Phillips.

"Whether they started over the first two league games or not, I think that's really important because it'll improve training standards and habits. But it also makes sure we can be consistent week in, week out and that's something we are focusing on - being consistent, being competitive and making sure we utilise everyone in the team."