Kirsty Roxanne provides the lowdown on this weekend's Championship opponents for the Pompey Women.
The Blues were defeated for the 4th consecutive time this campaign against also newly-promoted side Newcastle United in their last league fixture and suffered a heavy defeat in the League Cup on Wednesday evening.
Jay Sadler’s Blues are sat bottom of the Barclays Women’s Championship and remain without a league goal this season.
They head to Hayes Lane to take on their next opponent, the London City Lionesses this Sunday afternoon.
MANAGER
Head coach Jocelyn Prêcheur is at the helm of London City,
In his first managerial role at Chinese Super League club Jiansu Suning, he led the team to a clean sweep of China’s 4 domestic trophies, including the league title during his first season in charge.
Prêcher joined Meizhou Hakka in 2022, however left 3 months later. He was then named assistant manager of Paris Saint-Germain Women following the appointment of his father as manager.
After his father’s departure, he became the manager and won his first trophy with the club in May of this year, defeating Fleury in the Final of the Coupe de France.
Prêcher was appointed at London City Lionesses on a 3-year deal this summer.
ONE TO WATCH
Our one to watch on this occasion is Swedish international Kosovare Asllani.
Asllani began her career with Vimmerby IF and has played in the Damallsvenskan, which is the highest division in women’s football, for Linköpings FC and hometown club Kristianstads DFF.
The striker, who can also play as an attacking midfielder, has an extensive playing career with experience at Chicago Red Stars, PSG, Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan.
She also has international experience with Sweden having so far made 176 senior appearances, scoring 45 goals.
The number 9 joined London City this summer and was immediately named as club captain. She scored the club’s first goal of the season on the opening game against Newcastle.
TOP SCORER
With 2 goals so far this campaign, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah is the side’s current top goalscorer.
She began her football training at Everton Ladies Centre of Excellence and made her debut for the club in 2013, scoring her first goal against Doncaster Rovers Belles. After Everton won the 2017 Spring Series, she was offered her first full-time contract with the first team.
After 2 years with Aston Villa, it was announced last summer that Boye-Hlorkah had joined London City.
Last season, the forward scored 6 goals in all competitions - She wears the number 33 shirt.
CURRENT FORM
London City currently occupy 6th in the Barclays Women’s Championship after picking up 7 points from their opening 4 games, which produced 2 victories, 1 draw and 1 defeat.
The side picked up a draw on the opening day against Newcastle before securing consecutive 2-1 victories against Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City respectively.
Last time out, Prêcheur’s team were defeated to then-bottom of the table Sunderland.
The Blues have also been drawn in the same group as London City for the Women’s League Cup, alongside West Ham and Southampton.
In matchday 1 of Group C in midweek, Jay Sadler’s side were defeated 6-1 to West Ham whereas Prêcheur’s side were victorious by a goal to nil over Southampton thanks to an 84th minute winner from Maddi Wilde.
Can the Blues execute their changes and get some points on the board?
Kick-off at Hayes Lane is 2pm and you can hear reaction to the game on the next episode of The Football Hour on Express FM from 6pm on Monday (October 7th) evening.
Comments
Add a comment