BETH MEAD insists directing her disappointment at being dropped from the Lionesses in the right way has been key to her prolific form.
It was just over a year ago that the Arsenal ace was left out of an England squad led by Hege Riise that faced Northern Ireland at St George’s Park.
Beth Mead has netted 12 of England’s 63 goals scored in seven of their World Cup qualifiers Credit: Getty And the Sunderland-born forward found herself overlooked for international duty last summer with Riise opting to not to include her in the Team GB squad before the Tokyo Olympics.
Since then, Mead has pushed on and re-established herself a formidable part of England’s frontline.
Following the September arrival of Wiegman, the forward has thrived on the wing netting 12 of the Lionesses’ 63 World Cup qualifying goals scored in seven fixtures.
On her clinical form since her return to the national side, Mead said: “I’ve just channelled my disappointment in the correct way.
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Twelve players who have played for Liverpool and Man City in the Prem era “We can let these things break us or we can use them to our motivation, and I think this motivated me this season to do better on and off the pitch.
“I can control what I’m doing and enjoy my football.
“I’m a confident player and hopefully that’s showing on the pitch.
“The England team that I’m a part of right now is an amazing team.”
Since her senior debut in a World Cup qualifying draw with Wales in April 2018 Mead has emerged as a key figure in the Lionesses attack.
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The WSL ace has scored 20 goals in 35 Lionesses appearances.
These include her first international hat-trick against Northern Ireland, who England face at Windsor Park on Tuesday.
Mead added: “I never thought I would have scored a hat-trick in all these qualifiers.
I’m just really enjoying my football right now.
“It’s been free flowing individually for myself and with the team.
“I’m just glad the girls are getting on the end of some of the balls and I’m getting on the end of some of theirs.”
Mead and her team-mates face Northern Ireland next in their second World Cup qualifier duel with Kenny Shiels’ side Credit: Getty Mead’s England colleague Lauren Hemp has been tipped by pundits as one to watch at the Euros this summer
At club level Hemp has been instrumental in helping Manchester City overcome their early season struggles, with the team in a battle for a Champions League pace.
Mead has enjoyed a fruitful attacking partnership with Hemp on England duty with the City winger assisting two of her four goals against North Macedonia.
Mead is enjoying her partnership with Lauren Hemp and Ellen White in England’s attack Credit: EPA Mead said: “I think Lauren could beat any fullback in the world.
“When you’re just getting the box and she’ll produce a good cross or a good effort on goal and you get on the rebound and a couple of them happened against North Macedonia.
“Her positive play sometimes becomes my positive play. It’s really nice to link up with her and Ellen (White).”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk