Birmingham Ladies: What A Difference A Year Makes

Birmingham Ladies last season had the biggest escape from relegation, only securing super league status in the last game of the entire campaign. The season was not to dissimilar to the men’s team whereby a heroic Caddis header kept us up in the last few seconds of the season to keep us in the Championship under Lee Clark.

Then it looked like a spiral of decline would take place with the Ladies set up. Carney, the inspirational leader whom had a starring role for England in the last world cup, left to join league favourites Chelsea. Our number one goalkeeper also left, leaving a huge gap to fill in an already inexperienced back 5. Several first team starters jumped ship in order to play for teams with more stability such as Manchester City who are able to play their players a full time wage and have more facilities.

Due to the severe lack of numbers, Parker has had to look at youth this season. Mannion and Lawley, although fairly experienced, are still very much youngsters and yet they were leading the team. The passion from these younger players was unquestionable but could they really have the discipline to close games out and push up the league table?

So far this season after 9 games, Birmingham Ladies sit in a very comfortable 4th position and if we look at that positively, it means that we can maintain our super league status for another year. Having played a game more than Arsenal, we are still only one point behind them which would have been something that these players would only have dreamt of this time last year.

So why are we performing so well? Mannion who I mentioned earlier has really taken a step up in terms of her leadership qualities at the back. She has become noticeably more vocal and confident in organising her back line and this has meant that the girls have kept numerous clean sheets or conceded very few such as only allowing Chelsea to score one lucky goal and a shut out against Arsenal. Also, Parker has made some excellent signings such as Berger, the former PSG goalkeeper and Champions League finalist last year.

The combination of good signings and good young players has given this side energy and with good performances comes confidence and this is shining through in every performance. Sunderland are up next for the Blues’ on Sunday and a win for the Black Cats would take them level on points with Birmingham. Still all to play for but signs of definite improvement.