Bott Enjoying Underdog Tag Ahead Of Chelsea Bout

- LCFC Women visit Chelsea for a Barclays WSL encounter
- Wednesday’s clash is a 7pm kick-off at Kingsmeadow
- The Foxes are 11th in the standings heading into this game
- CJ Bott pointed to the improvements made in the side

Beaten 1-0 by Arsenal last Friday, the Foxes take on another Barclays Women’s Super League title chaser in the capital this week when they visit Kingsmeadow for a 7pm kick-off against Emma Hayes’ side.

Reflecting on the narrow defeat to the Gunners, the defender, who played 90 minutes at Meadow Park, sees the game as evidence of the side's progress so far this term, with Frida Maanum’s second-half goal the only difference between the teams.

“It was a bitter-sweet mood,” the 28-year-old admitted in Monday’s pre-match press conference, describing the current mood in the camp. “We were pretty happy with our performance in comparison to when we played them a few months back and we’ve come on leaps and bound since then.

“But at the same time, knowing how close we were to getting the point was pretty gut-wrenching. Willie [Kirk] coming in has been a massive change for sure. Our training sessions are completely different and we’re taking it up a few notches.

“We’ve had some really good signings come into the squad, with Janina [Leitzig], Remy [Siemsen], Courtney [Nevin] and Ruby [Mace]. There’s been some additions which have made such a difference. I love how far we’ve come.”

Chelsea came out on top in the reverse fixture on Filbert Way in early December 2022 and there are few tougher tests in the WSL than facing the UEFA Champions League Semi-Finalists.

But with points required to maintain the Foxes’ position outside of the relegation zone, the team are entering all of the three final fixtures with the intention of looking to take points.

“We’re a completely different team,” the full-back added. “We all know that Chelsea are an incredible team and they’ve got some great players in their squad. It’s obviously going to be a tough game but what we’ve shown in the last few weeks and months is that we’re a team that is ready to fight.

“We’re not going to hold back against any team, whatever the situation. We’re not going to fear them. We’re ready for the game.

“Our coaches have done a really good job of giving us the tactical detail that we need and we’re ready to go, for sure. I love being an underdog team and rising up. It’s really exciting to think about our season.”