A very subjective look into AWFC

If you just randomly read any one of my blog posts, chances are that you will read a compliment about Katie McCabe. She will always have a special place in my heart because she’s also the footballer I’ve seen play the most and every single time I see her play in person, I am overwhelmed by her tenacious, infectious energy. I have never seen or felt anything like it. She’s just at another level altogether.

The slow start of the season has had many topics of conversation. We all have different opinions as to why things haven’t clicked. Or maybe what I should say is that we think we have good and valid opinions about what is happening or why we aren’t were we think should be aka top of the league and still playing in CL.

While Viv is gone, we really struggle in the 10 position. I sadly don’t think Frida is having a good season at all and I would be more than ok with her rotating. And like I’ve said before, she doesn’t start if everyone is fit. So, who are the options? Well we have many options up top and on the wings, but as a 10 who do we have? Who can play there?

I had never noticed Russo dropping so deep as she did after Stina came on vs Villa. People told me that she has done that a bunch before for United, but I never ever noticed that, so she’s a potential answer for that role, having Stina as the 9 with Beth and Caitlin or Cloe.

Coupled with this is the thought that a lot of people hold that Steph and Caitlin have to play together because of their understanding. But like I said on my podcast, it’s not like we are lighting the league on fire on that left flank, is it? Well I’m always going to pick Katie over anyone, but what if we play her central?

Among the things we lack, a lot, is shooting from outside the box and being direct. She only scores screamers, looks to shoot every available possible time, has incredible vision and is tenacious enough and elegant enough to play the role.

If you ask me, she has all the attributes for that position. Why not? We have dropped other players and slotted others in different positions. I can see that working and not sure how it would happen but I would love to see that be a thing, specially soon haha.

When I saw her play with the Irish team vs USA, and I wrote about it a lot, she was all over the pitch. She was taking free kicks, corners, dropping deep, spraying passes, crossing the ball, attacking, pressing. All of it. It’s just logical. And I would totally get it if she didn’t want to play there, but there is something McCabe-esque about Messi. (See what I did there?)

Anyway, Bristol is up next and although we all wish we would be thinking about the CL draw, that is water under the bridge and we need to focus on this season and this season only.

d ❤

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