Last season was tough for Manchester City Women. From running Chelsea so close in the title race to finishing fourth the following season, Blues fans have seen the agony and utter despair under Gareth
Taylor’s rule. However, Andree Jeglertz has only overseen six matches so far and already, the Blues look like a different team.
The girls sit in second place, just one point behind leaders Chelsea, who they lost to on the opening day of the season. But they have won all their next five WSL matches, including scoring late winners in the matches against Arsenal and again against Liverpool at the weekend.
It seemed a little bit of the same old story on the opening day against Chelsea. City losing to the champions is no major shock anymore. However, the Blues did press Chelsea back in their own half and, for a change, they put up a fight against the West London Blues.
Against Arsenal, they fought and despite being pegged back twice by the Gunners, City found a way to take the three points. Under Taylor, they would likely have tried to hold on for the point and either just about doing so, or losing to a last minute goal.
This time, it was City who were the ones who kept pushing and probing until they found a way past the Arsenal defence for a third time to take the points. Of course, the points are putting City in contention for the league title, but it’s the evolution of some of City’s stars that has stood out.
Yui Hasegawa was already a key player in the City midfield, but this season, the Japanese star seems to have stepped up her game. Hasegawa is covering every blade of grass and getting amongst the goals. She has ben one of City’s most consistent players so far this season.
Laura Blindkilde-Brown, often overlooked by Taylor or reduced to a bit part, has been amazing since coming into the side, Grace Prior is looking solid at the back and even Vivianne Miedema looks to have a new lease of life, now free of the Taylor shackles.
But the biggest change, in my opinion, is Kerstin Casparij. The Dutch star was barely noticeable under Taylor, spending most of her time in the full-back position. But Jeglertz has put her in a more attack-minded position and Casparij has flourished.
Goals against Spurs and Arsenal, with assists against London City Lionesses and Arsenal is part of the reason City are flying so high. It’s difficult to remember that Casparij is a defender as she spends much of her time in or around the opposition box. She is constantly finding space to exploit and managing time and again to get in behind the defence and place that pinpoint cross that is begging to be scored.
It’s amazing what a change of position can do for a player.
Of the new signings, Iman Beney is currently sticking out with two late goals against Arsenal and Liverpool to clinch the win. Grace Clinton is tenacious and always looking to attack while Jade Rose looks like a star in the making.
And to think that Lauren Hemp, Kerolin, Rebecca Knaak and Mary Fowler are all yet to return, the future is looking bright for the girls.
Of course, six games in is still to early to make any judgement, but, if the girls can continue this form, they must surely be in with a shot at some silverware this season.
