FA WSL 2015 : Season 5

Nice to see the Belles back up in the top flight!
Looks like the game still has to grow a little bit, as WSL2 was lacking parity quite a bit....

 

True, but that's why I said there's still growth to be had.
And if it's 99% amateur players, you would expect a fair amount of parity anyway aside from the team that has a few of the really good ones rising to the top - but we're seeing a lack of parity top-to-bottom, it's not like there are a few class teams and then the rest all clumped together.

 

I don't see Ji So-Yun in the goalscorers table. Was she anyway key in Chelsea's title, as she was last season in their fight until the last game?

 

here is Ji's goal for Chelsea a week back. you might need a big screen to watch but notice how she expertly settles the ball before she strike


last season, Ji won league mvp. Not sure, but I would go this year with either her team mate, the old style winger, Gemma Davison)(she's the one that cross kicks the ball in the video) or since Chelsea was really stacked this year. scoring leader Beth Mead of Sunderland.

The underrated Davison has now won 4 league titles; at Chelsea 2015, Liverpool 2014, Arsenal 2012 WPS/Flash 2011. So at least with Davison on your team, you know at least your going to win a championship!

 

Doncaster Rovers Belles are delighted to announce multi-million pound plans for a state-of-the-art training facility and full-time, professional contracts to a number of its players – for the first time in the club’s history.

 

I got asked to compile a Top Ten Players in WSL for this season for a national newspaper (before Sunday's last round of games). They used it in print but for some reason nowhere to be found online. Tried to maintain some balance of teams etc. You may be interested (and please pull it apart - these things are for debating):

In reverse order (drum roll)…

10. Kerys Harrop, Birmingham City (centre back)

Has brought an understated consistency and calm to the centre of defence, during a season in which Blues were down-on-their-luck for lengthy spells.

9. Mary Earps, Bristol Academy (goalkeeper)

Basement side Bristol Academy started 2015 poorly but have gamely battled on and improved – several scorelines could have been higher without Earps’ brave and acrobatic displays.

8. Alex Greenwood, Notts County (full back)

Left footed Greenwood’s ability to deliver shots and dangerous crosses sees her lead the league in assists, alongside speedy forward Jess Clarke, has been County’s standout performer.

7. Casey Stoney, Arsenal (centre back)

The evergreen central defender continues to shine and lead by example, revelling in the partnership with newcomer Jemma Rose and excelling in the Gunners' solid back line.

6. Ji So-Yun, Chelsea (midfield/forward)

With Liverpool’s Fara Williams missing the second half of the season due to injury, the unselfish South Korean playmaker Ji takes sole claim of the moniker ‘league’s classiest technician’ and remains a footballing joy to watch.

5. Steph Houghton, Manchester City (centre back)

The Lionesses’ captain has also skippered and marshalled City’s strong defence, turning in impressive individual displays (adding three important league goals), as the team’s true quality has emerged in the second half of the season.

4. Gilly Flaherty, Chelsea (centre back)

Another leader on the field, with guts, guile and crucial goals from set pieces, Gilly and co have created a sturdy stability upon which Chelsea’s flair filled forward line can flourish.

3. Izzy Christiansen, Manchester City (midfield)

Jill Scott played a key role in the side’s pre World Cup break displays but an effervescent Christiansen has increasingly provided the bustling industry, spark and goals for the City midfield (five in the league), earning her a well-deserved first start for England, in Estonia last month.

2. Gemma Davison, Chelsea (forward)

Loves to run with the ball and take on defenders, Davison is a tricky, flying winger – always a potential catalyst performance-wise - who shares her team mates’ determination and winning mentality and is looking to win back to back titles having been with champions Liverpool, in 2014.

1. Beth Mead, Sunderland (forward)

Speed, tenacity, all-round finishing prowess and a hatful of goals (12 strikes in 13 games makes her the league's top scorer by some margin) - even as a lone striker she's proved a handful for almost every defence she has faced, in her first, stellar season, in the top flight.

Only thing missing from her game is an England call-up!

 

WOW! I've picked either Mead & Davison for mvp in my previous post, but Christiansen was my third choice !!!, just didn't think anybody would believe me that she's looked better than any of her Man City, NT stacked team mates like Bronze, Houghton, Duggan & Scott.

It's a shame that the top 3 weren't even on the WC squad. Got the feeling if they were, England would of gotten passed Japan and into the finals. But than it would of been up to Sampson to use them, some of his picks as starters Rafferty & Bassett, were weak links, as well as starting Chapman(vs Japan), even Spence(her Chelsea teamie at mid) looks better! and he still favoring Ellen White, compared with what's he's got now(if you add Mead, Carter & Parris to the table) Ahh........what could of been!

 

I don't actually need big screen, not because the video is crystal clear (it is a little pixeled instead, so you're right that it would need a close-up), but because I was used to see Ji So-Yun's "magical" tricks like this one day-in day-out when she was playing for INAC Kobe Leonessa. I guess there are very few players around that have ball-control technical skills that can be compared to hers and I am quite sad that South Korea didn't impress enough at WWC this year, because a player like Ji would deserve more international recognition (I mean, whoever saw her play, in Korea, in Japan or in England, knows what she's worth, but how many outside from these countries can really assess her value? ).

 

here's the England vs China game


a bit disappointing out of England, coach Sampson puts a lot of speed in his lineup with the likes of Aluko, Sanderson, Bronze, Jill & Alex Scott, but it's defense that proves disastrous, both Chinese goals scored are unmarked and simply no pressure put on the Chinese even though they're playing from an defense/counter attack stance. Davison finally gets to play but refrains from her patended dribble/drive style until she finally sets up Aluko for England's goal. Sanderson proving that despite some skill, she's not just a team player. Commnentary is in Chinese(as well as the lineups). So I posted the lineup below for England(as good as I know how) I take it the strikingly attractive Chinese gk is Wang Fei?

gk....................Bardsley

df....Bronze..Scott....Houghton....Flagherty

md,..J Scot...Potter...Christiansen...Davison..

fw........Sanderaon...........Aluko

ps sorry about any misspeliings!

 

Appreciate your sense of humour

 

no surprise, Carli Lloyd's bomb at the WC finals just got nominated as FIFA's goal of the year(men or women), but here was the FA's top picks for the season in the WSL. Dunno who finally won, but I'll go with Toni Duggan's 2nd as she gives a lil dance after scoring it

 

Very talented Dutch playmaker Danielle Van de Donk has announced three days ago that she will join Arsenal FC.
I guess the Londoners were looking for the new Kim Little.....

 

don't know who won 2015 mvp yet, but here a few highlights of my two top choices; Gema Davison & Beth Mead

the whole focus is on Gema here, as she's playing with the NT in their last game vs Bosnia


you could all this the Beth Mead show, but her team in highlights vs Notts County. I would pick her as my personal choice of mvp. She definitely gets the better of Alex Greenwood(the hot blond fb & another of my faves). Yet NT coach is keeping her under wraps with still no NT appearances(while rostered)