Reading FC Women’s manager Kelly Chambers has challenged her team to ‘push on’ ahead of the new Women’s Super League season.
The Royals kick off their Women’s Super League campaign with a trip to Manchester United on Saturday (12pm kick-off live on BBC One).
Reading were due to play newly promoted Liverpool at the Select Car Leasing Stadium last weekend in front of what would have been a record crowd, but all matches across England were postponed after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
“It was disappointing not to play last week in front of a record crowd,” said Reading FC Women’s manager Kelly Chambers.
“We’re excited to get going. Everyone is raring to go, we’re bored of pre-season now and want to get going.
“Going to Man United will always be a tough fixture but it’s one we’ve prepared well and the squad I’ve brought in this year can really step forward and push.
“I’ve put together a squad with strength and depth. The competition for places here and having a challenging environment is driving standards for us as a club.
After an excellent first-half to the 2021/22 season, Reading were in contention to finish in the top four, however they suffered a disappointing end to the campaign and ended in 8th.
Chambers continued: “Last season was a tough one for us. As much as we had our winning streak, it was tough in the sense of the bench.
“For example when we played Chelsea, although we picked up three points, we only had academy players on the bench and to chuck them in the deep end just wasn’t the right time.
“The one thing we’ve done this season is make sure we have a competitive squad so that every game we step into, we’ve got enough depth to compete and challenge.
“The injuries we picked up we had to force people to get through little niggles which wasn’t a nice routine to be in.
“We want a challenging environment. I don’t want players to feel comfortable and feel like they will start every week and we had that last season.
“There’s no hiding now. There is no room to slip and not perform because there will be someone else knocking on the door.
“They’re pushing each other everyday and keeping our standards high to make sure we compete this season.”
The Royals boss is keen for the women’s game to push on from the success of the Lionesses success at this summer’s Euro 2022 tournament.
“This is what we want to grow fan bases, get more crowds in stadiums. That’s high on the agenda for every club with the immediate impact of the Euro’s.
“We’ve got to try and really grow the game. It’s made people in this country more aware of the quality of the sport and made people fall in love with it.
“There is a more personal touch in the women’s game that you don’t get with the men’s game.
“Once you’re there you start to feel part of the club, especially with my girls that’s something we’ve always wanted to do is interact with fans and be grateful to the people that come to watch.”
