Women’s Super League: our team-by-team guide to the 2017-18 season
From Arsenal to Yeovil, we assess the contenders and likely strugglers for the maiden winter campaign – as Manchester City look to maintain their supremacy
Once the dominant force in women’s football, Arsenal have slipped behind Chelsea and Manchester City in recent years and have not lifted the title since 2012. Not that they should be taken lightly – they were the only team to remain unbeaten in the Spring Series. However finishing third highlighted the need for greater efficiency.
Coach Pedro Martínez Losa
Key player Vivianne Miedema is an important signing from Bayern Munich. Two of the 21-year-old striker’s four goals for the victorious Dutch at Euro 2017 came in the final against Denmark.
Last season Third
Target this season Mount a strong title challenge
Birmingham
Birmingham have a reputation for being tough to break down, an approach that helped them reach last season’s FA Cup final. However they were outplayed by Manchester City at Wembley and their cup run distracted focus from the Spring Series. Finishing seventh in that was disappointing for a team more accustomed to challenging at the top end of the table.
Coach Marc Skinner
Key player Jess Carter was named PFA young player of the year last season and the versatile defender is only going to get better.
Last season Fourth
Target this season Break into the top three
Bristol City
Relegated to WSL2 in 2015, Bristol City bounced straight back into the top division at the first time of asking, missing out on the title to Yeovil Town only on goal difference. However they found it difficult in the Spring Series, picking up one win in eight matches, and have already steeled themselves for a battle against relegation. Losing the striker Claire Emslie, who scored 12 goals in 10 games last season, to Manchester City was a blow.
Coach Willie Kirk
Key player Yana Daniëls, a Belgian striker signed from Anderlecht, needs to fill the void left by Emslie.
Last season Second in WSL2
Target this season Survival
Chelsea
Having won the double in 2015, Chelsea allowed their level to drop slightly last season, finishing second in the league and losing their FA Cup semi-final to Birmingham. However they got back to winning ways in the Spring Series, finishing top on goal difference, and a squad containing Katie Chapman, Gilly Flaherty, Fran Kirby, Eni Aluko and Ji So-yun boasts enviable talent. Finish above them and you will probably win the league.
Coach Emma Hayes
Key player Ji, nicknamed the Korean Messi, provides goals and creativity in her role as a deep-lying forward.
Last season Second
Target this season Win back the title
Everton
Although Everton missed out on promotion to WSL1 last season, they ended up returning to the top tier for the first time since 2014 when the Football Association accepted their bid to fill the spot left vacant by Notts County. Doncaster Belles were unhappy with the FA’s decision but Everton believe that winning the WSL2 Spring Series proves they have been elevated on merit.
Coach Andy Spence
Key player Courtney Sweetman-Kirk was prolific for Doncaster and the striker is expected to flourish after joining Everton.
Last season Third in WSL2
Target this season Survival
Liverpool
The 2013 and 2014 champions have struggled to compete with Chelsea, City and Arsenal in the past two seasons, finishing 17 points off the pace in 2016. For Liverpool, who begin their campaign with a Merseyside derby against Everton on Friday night, it is about finding a way to respond to the rising demands of women’s football in England. That may not be easy after the sale of Shanice van de Sanden to Lyon.
Coach Scott Rogers
Key player Caroline Weir demonstrated her goalscoring threat by grabbing Scotland’s winner against Spain at Euro 2017.
Last season Fifth
Target this season Get closer to the top sides
Manchester City
There is no doubt that the champions, Continental Cup holders and FA Cup winners are the team to beat. They are a fearsome proposition and are setting new standards. Their wealth has allowed them to accelerate away from the majority of the competition. However City know they will face a determined fight from Chelsea, who increased the intensity of their rivalry by winning the Spring Series.
Coach Nick Cushing
Key player Jill Scott is a marauding presence in midfield for City.
Last season Champions
Target this season Retain the title and the FA Cup
Reading
Reading’s target last season was simple: survival was their goal after winning promotion and in the end they did enough to stay up at the expense of Doncaster. However they were not particularly convincing, winning only one of their 16 games, and they need to be prepared for a possible relegation battle before aiming any higher. That said, they can take encouragement from finishing sixth in the Spring Series.
Coach Kelly Chambers
Key player Fara Williams’s experience could be vital after the midfielder’s arrival from Arsenal.
Last season Eighth
Target this season Mid-table
While Sunderland were disappointing in the WSL1 last season, finishing a point above Reading, they improved in the Spring Series, finishing fifth after winning two and drawing three of their eight matches. It is unlikely that they possess the depth or the resources to rise higher than mid-table but there is a belief within the club that this can be a comfortable campaign. However will Melanie Reay’s inexperience be a problem in her first full season as manager?
Coach Melanie Reay
Key player Stephanie Roche, runner-up in the 2014 Puskás Award, is known for her habit of scoring stunning goals.
Last season Seventh
Target this season Mid-table
Yeovil Town
They are young and energetic, and no team scored more than them in WSL2 last season. They will be fearless and enterprising, and will hope to bloody a few noses along the way. Ultimately, though, Yeovil know they will be up against it after finishing bottom with one point in the Spring Series. However they have spent pre-season concentrating on eradicating their weaknesses. That work ethic could prove invaluable.
Coach Jamie Sherwood
Key player How will Kayleigh Green slot back into the side after returning from a loan spell in Italy?
Last season First in WSL2
Target this season Survival
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