This Week's Opposition: Birmingham City Women

Pompey Women's next Championship challenge assessed by Kirsty Roxanne.

Jay Sadler’s side suffered their first home league defeat of the season against now top of the table Durham last time out.

Attention now turning to another tough challenge as the Blues now head to St Andrew’s for their second away league fixture of this new campaign.

Let’s take a look into Birmingham, who currently occupy 3rd.

MANAGER

Amy Merricks has been named as head coach for Birmingham.

Merricks spent 8 years of her coaching career at Brighton & Hove Albion, where she was made interim manager on 3 occasions. During her time with The Seagulls, she spent 5 years under the tutelage of Hope Powell, who is now Birmingham City’s technical director.

At just 31 years of age, she is in the early stages of her managerial career, however during her time as England Women's Under-19s head coach, she helped secure qualification for the second round of the 2024 European Women's Under-19 Championship. Winning all 3 of their Round 1 games.

Merricks was appointed head coach of Birmingham in April 2024 on a 3-year contract, replacing Darren Carter who departed after nearly 2-and-a-half seasons at the helm.

Merricks will be hoping to be the woman who can lead Birmingham City back to the WSL after 3 seasons away from the top flight.

ONE TO WATCH

New signing Tegan McGowan is our one to watch.

McGowan spent the last 2 seasons at Charlton scoring 4 goals across 19 appearances.

She made the move to Birmingham in July this year and has already made an impact, especially on opening day against Sunderland. McGowen secured the penalty that allowed Quinn to get her brace.

McGowan has also played for International team Wales at Under-19 level.

She wears the number 19 shirt.

TOP SCORER

The Blues’ current top goalscorer is number 4 Louise Quinn.

The centre back started her senior career with Peamount United, captaining the club to the inaugural 2011/12 Women’s National League title and featuring in the UEFA Women’s Championship League.

She spent 4 seasons in Sweden with Eskilstuna United from 2013 to 2016, she then moved to England with Notts County who folded shortly after.

Quinn went on to join Arsenal on an initial short-term contract in May 2017, she extended her terms and helped the North London club recapture the FA WSL title in 2018/19.

Following her departure, Quinn spent 1 season with Italian Serie A club Fiorentina Women before joining Birmingham City in July 2021.

After winning her first senior cap in February 2008, Quinn has made over 105 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team. She has been names the FAI Senior Women’s International Player of the Year on 2 occasions in 2013 and 2019.

So far this campaign, she has netted home 2 goals, 1 from the penalty spot.

CURRENT FORM

Birmingham currently occupy 3rd in the Barclays Championship table. Securing a 5-0 victory against Sunderland on opening day, followed by a 0-0 draw away from home against Bristol City.

Last campaign, The Blues finished in 5th accumulating 36 points with 11 victories, 3 draws and 8 defeats. On average across the seasons they have a better home record than away - with 20 points awarded at St Andrew’s compared to 16 points whilst on the road.

Can Pompey secure their first win of the Barclays Women’s Championship season?

Catch full reaction from 6pm on Monday's episode of The Football Hour with Jake Smith.