Everton Women boss Scott Phelan said "there's no fresh injury concerns" as his team prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur Women at the BetWright Stadium this Saturday.
It comes after a midweek 6-0 thrashing of WSL 2 side Durham in the Subway Cup, where a second-half hat-trick from Yuka Momiki and a brace from Noémie Mouchon were the difference for both sides.
Phelan also complimented the new format of the Subway Cup, feeling it's exciting and has brought the competition alive.
“I think it’s exciting and a good addition which is needed. It’s an exciting format we have seen in the UCL and now introduced to this competition it’s brought it alive, I mean it’s got a real exciting feeling about it this year. Obviously with the teams who aren’t in the competition as well, the Champions League teams maybe makes it more realistic for others to win it.”
Phelan's latest debutant
The competition has allowed for rotation in a busy schedule, and a beneficiary of that rotation was 17-year-old Zara Plano, who earned her first senior appearance for the Toffees.
Phelan is very happy at being able to give this opportunity to players and says Plano needs to take this experience into her games within the under-21s to see where that will take.
“Yeah I’m really, really happy because she did well in the game but the fact she’s an academy graduate was extra nice. The cup competition has given us that opportunity that we did in the previous round at Sheffield United so the fact we could help that and give opportunity to players who deserve that was a very nice part of the competition so far.”
“She needs to you know take the experience for what it was being around the senior professionals, enjoying the training week of preparation into the 21’s games and see whether that takes off.”
The confidence within the team
The Everton boss also spoke on how confident he is in his team after some brilliant points earned at Chelsea and Manchester United.
He knows the game against Spurs will not be easy; however, he has belief his side can get a result if they stay together.
“We know the level of effort and togetherness we need to win this game. We have come up against lots of top teams and came away with results and been competitive. It shows that the players can do something at this football club. It’s not easy to be competitive in certain games but the togetherness of the team means we have a good chance.”
How Phelan will approach this Spurs team
The Toffees' head coach acknowledged the leaky defence with Spurs, and recognises how they concede their goals.
The confidence and momentum from the team means he's confident he will be prepared to make this game competitive on Saturday.
“It’s something that they have conceded a lot of goals we are aware of that. We can expose them moments [how they concede goals].”
“We can use video footage from the analysis department to get key messages across. There’s definitely more ways to be prepared for a game than just on the pitch, but we will be prepared come Saturday.”
Reflection on the season so far
After the boss came into the team permanently in June this year, he feels fortunate to be working with a great squad, and says they are only just at the start of the process to elevate this team to the top end of the league.
This comes as he acknowledges the challenge of the WSL being so difficult as there have been so many shocks this season.
“WSL is really challenging; every game is a hard game. Every week has seen an unexpected result, but we are trying to just focus on what we’re trying to do. We are happy with our season so far and hoping to continue that going forward.
"Fortunate to work with such a good group of girls. Their attitude is great and with the performances they put in just credit to them.
“We are right at the beginning of building something and growing something. I think a bit of a mixed bag but enough to be happy with. We’re right at the start of what we want to try and achieve and I think we’ve made a positive enough start."
The fixture
Everton will travel to the BetWright Stadium to face Spurs for a 3pm kick off this Saturday (November 14th) live on Sky Sports.
