REMI ALLEN has called on Reading Women to “make a statement” in Wednesday’s clash with Yeovil Town Ladies.
Now halfway through their Spring Series campaign, Royals have lost each of their last three matches since an opening day win at Bristol City.
But with a switch to a new three-at-the-back formation and an encouraging display despite a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City last time out, there have been plenty of positives to take.
And Allen says a game against a newly promoted side in Yeovil, albeit away from home, is the perfect chance to show the progress that is being made.
“We go into most games wanting to win, but games like this against teams coming up, we have to make a statement,” she told The Wokingham Paper.
“We have to go there and win so we’ll definitely be going to do that.
“The Spring Series is our opportunity to try a new system and work things out.
“It’s not always going to go to plan, as you’ve seen in the first few games. But I think you can see that game by game, we’re starting to build on that and come the WSL season, I think we’ll be well equipped.
“Every day we’re in training, it’s all about learning.
“Whether that’s trying to learn the new system or create new situations and another 10 days between Man City and Yeovil is vital.”
There will also be a reunion on Wednesday night with new Glovers signing Nia Jones facing Reading for the first time since leaving the club at the end of last season.
“Nia’s a good girl so it will be interesting playing against her,” said Allen.
“I’m sure it will make it all the more feisty!”
After shipping eight goals in two losses against Liverpool and Chelsea, it may have been tempting for Reading to switch back to the more defensively solid formation which proved successful last season.
But boss Kelly Chambers insists she never contemplated abandoning the new system.
“We need to persevere with it,” she said.
“This year is about developing. Against Man City, we could have easily set up how we did last year.
“I don’t want to be one dimensional.
“I don’t want people to work out what we’re doing week in, week out.
“Everyone looks at score-lines and we do, no-one likes losing, but we’re building something here and all my squad and all my staff see the bigger picture.
“I’m hoping that the fans will come the competitive season because that’s when we’ll be competing properly.”
She added: “We had three games in 10 days and the new players hadn’t really had any training time on the pitch.
“We had to rest and recover and have walk through sessions and you couldn’t work players too hard.
“But it’s a case now of having 10 solid days to work with everyone and make sure that when we get to Yeovil, that we’re winning that game.”
