Morgan: We’re Refreshed & Raring To Go

- LCFC Women tackle West Ham United in the WSL on Sunday (3pm kick-off)
- Both sides are searching for their maiden win of the season at Chigwell Construction Stadium
- Manager Jonathan Morgan was in conversation with the media ahead of the clash
- He spoke about how remaining level-headed and sticking to the game-plan will be the key

The Foxes meet the Hammers at Chigwell Constriction Stadium in a 3pm kick-off as the Barclays FA Women’s Super League resumes following the international break.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to the capital, Morgan spoke of how the team have been able to utilise the time away from competitive action to fine-tune their preparations.

And while City’s manager admitted that Sunday’s game naturally poses an opportunity to get a first victory of the campaign, he stressed the need to stay level-headed and calm after two defeats in the opening fixtures of the season.

He told the media on Thursday: “We had a couple away on internationals but it was more to refresh and regroup and work a little bit on a few of the areas that we feel we can improve on for the game and get ourselves physically ready and fit for the game come Sunday.

“Every game’s an opportunity to win. We have to go in thinking we can beat any team. This is a very competitive league and there’s never going to be a foregone conclusion in any game.

“West Ham will be looking to get a victory just like us. They are a hard-working team and will be working on how to exploit us just like we are with them. But all I can say to the girls is that we stick to our philosophy and our principles, and we work hard in training.

“If we do work hard and play the way we know we can, we can win on any given day. Obviously we would like to get our first points, but we’re not putting ourselves under any sort of pressure regarding that.”

While Leicester have deployed a modified playing style this term, focus has also been on ensuring the players are in peak physical shape to adapt to the challenges of top-flight football.

“The jump from the Championship to the WSL was always going to be a difficult one,” Morgan explained. “But I think one of the most critical factors in being successful at this level is the fitness aspect of the game.

“We’re asking them to play quite a high, intense game. We’ve looked through some of our stats and we’re quite happy with where we are.

“But at the same time, we know if we want to compete with the teams like Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea, we have to make sure that we build our fitness and get to their level from a fitness aspect, before we can really challenge them.”

It’s been two weeks since LCFC Women opened up their home campaign with a 3-1 reverse against Manchester United. It's a match that gave Morgan a clear indication of what is required in order to avoid similar setbacks this term.

“On reflection, we were very competitive,” he added. “Whilst it was disappointing to lose, it was also a great game for us to sit down and the players to dissect exactly what the difference is at that level and what we can do now to compete with that top four.

“It’s a ruthless league. There’s no chances like last year. The fitness aspect of this league is tremendous and very demanding. Those first two games have highlighted that and we’ve learned from that. We must stay and remain competitive.”

All times BST.