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      Alessia Russo is ready to get ‘stuck in’ with Gunners after sealing stunning Arsenal move before World Cup

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      ALESSIA RUSSO hopes to rack up silverware wins with Arsenal after announcing her stunning Gunners move before the World Cup. The England forward, 24, sealed her switch today becoming the WSL side’s biggest signing this summer before jetting to Australia tomorrow.
      Alessia Russo has become one of Arsenal’s biggest signings this summer after joining the club as a free agentCredit: Getty
      The England forward will wear the WSL side’s number 23 shirtCredit: Getty
      Russo’s move following the end of a three-year Man United spell will see her link-up with England team-mate Beth MeadCredit: Getty
      Arsenal’s signing of the player comes just under a month on from her exit as a free agent from Manchester United after three years. 
      It also follows an alleged record-breaking £500,000 January bid the Gunners had rejected by the Red Devils before their summer swoop.  
      Russo, whose contract length has not been disclosed, said: “I want to win trophies – as does everyone at this club.
      “I can’t wait to get stuck in and grow as a player – it’s a new challenge and a new environment.
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      “The growth of the women’s game has been incredible, but particularly at a club like Arsenal.
      “The sell-out against Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium last season was fantastic, and I’m just really excited to be part of this club.”
      Russo, who made her senior club debut at Chelsea in 2016, made 59 appearances across all competitions for Man United, bagging 26 goals 
      One of her famous finishes on the domestic stage was a dramatic late Red Devils winner last November when United became the first WSL side to beat the Gunners at the Emirates. 
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      On Wednesday Russo will jet off with her England pals with the team heading to their training base on Australia’s Sunshine Coast ahead of their World Cup opener against Haiti on July 22. 
      Before their journey former England skipper Faye White and ex-Lioness Rachel Yankey unveiled a giant farewell message from fans.
      Thousands of the notes from supporters were laid out in a park near Heathrow for Russo and her team-mates. 
      The ex-Arsenal aces spent Monday morning reading some of the messages gathered by snack firm KIND which they hope will be seen by England aces from the sky. 
      Russo’s move will see her join a stellar line-up of forwards at the Gunners that includes Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius, Victoria Pelova and Katrine Kuhl.
      The club have also signed 29-year-old Canada international forward Cloe Lacasse.
      Of Russo’s move, former Arsenal captain White jokingly told SunSport: “I kind of think how is Jonas going to keep everyone happy? 
      “Russo is developing and has her best years ahead of her. 
      “It just shows her ambition as well even though Man United are building and it also shows the state of the game. 
      “In my day (when a player moved) it used to be about a manager you got on with who you thought was going to progress you the most. 
      “Nowadays it’s about that but it’s also the financial side, it’s the opportunities as well the hunt for success and winning trophies.” 
      Club boss Jonas Eidevall said:  “Alessia is one of the best forwards in the world and has significant potential to continue growing and improving. 
      “She has a proven track record of scoring goals in the WSL and at international level and we believe she will be a quality addition to our forward line.” 
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      Russo’s performances at last summer’s Euros saw her attract interest from some of the biggest clubs in EuropeCredit: Getty
      The Lioness has netted 11 goals in 21 senior international appearances.
      These include four during last summer’s Euros, helping the Lionesses win the tournament.  More

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      Lucy Bronze backs Lionesses to step things up for World Cup and hails Lauren James

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      LUCY BRONZE aims to help Lauren James find her way with the forward shining for the Lionesses ahead of the World Cup. And the Barcelona ace vowed England will step it up in the tournament after their draw with Portugal.
      Lucy Bronze hit the woodwork for England against Portugal in their send-off clash before the World CupCredit: Getty
      Bronze says Lauren James is eager to learn with the forward set to play in a World Cup for the first time this summerCredit: Getty
      The Lionesses’ final test on home soil before the showpiece in Australia and New Zealand ended in a 0-0 stalemate at the home of MK Dons
      Four years ago the team lost a World Cup send-off clash to New Zealand
      However they battled their way to the semis in the 2019 contest before being beaten by the United States.
      Of England’s performance on Saturday, Bronze said: “In the second half we showed a big improvement. 
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      “We upped the tempo which is a good sign that we noticed we’re not doing what we should be and we can step it up.”
      Among the brighter moments for the Lionesses was Lauren James pulling the strings as a number 10 in the second half. 
      And Bronze is enjoying her blossoming right-flank partnership with the forward. 
      She adds: “LJ and I have a good relationship off the pitch as well.
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      “She’s eager to learn and for a player that’s so young and talented, people forget how much expectation there is on her.
      “Because I’m the experienced player, she wants to get me in the game. 
      “But I’m saying to her: ‘You’re the winger, you have it.’ It’s nice that she wants to get me involved. 
      “Give her space and she will score a goal. She’s still learning when to be selfish and when not to be. I’m just there to help her find her way.”
      Alongside James, Esme Morgan and Katie Robinson were among the tournament debutants who featured for boss Sarina Wiegman against Portugal.
      The trio will play in the World Cup for the first time in their careers after a pre-contest duel with Canada in Australia on July 14. 
      Bronze added: “The younger players who are the least experienced, Katie Robinson, Lauren and Esme, I thought all of them did really well (against Portugal) 
      “You don’t see the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
      “They are exciting and they don’t have fear. They slot in. They are used to doing it in the league and they do it for us now.
      “I went into the 2015 (World Cup) as a young player, not expecting to do much.
      Bronze reckons Esme Morgan and England’s other young stars are exciting to watchCredit: Getty
       “I ended up playing every single game, scoring goals and forced myself into the spotlight. “Anything can happen in the World Cup. 
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      “We saw that last year with Chloe (Kelly) in the Euros scoring the winner in a tournament that she played very few minutes in. 
      “There will be plenty of opportunities for people to shine and have their moments.” More

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      I used to do shifts pulling pints in a country pub to pay for football boots.. now I’m an Arsenal and England star

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      BEFORE she cemented her status as an England legend, Lioness Beth Mead pulled pints at her local pub so that she could buy some football boots.The 28-year-old wrote her name in the history books last summer when she led England to Euro 2022 glory, picking up the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament award in the process.
      Before she became a professional footballer, Beth Mead worked in her local pubCredit: Getty
      The 28-year-old led England to Euro 2022 glory last summerCredit: PA
      She won the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awardCredit: PA
      But before she became a national hero, Mead worked a part-time job at the Fox and Hounds pub in Staithes, near Whitby.
      Last year, she told ITV: “I used to work Friday, Saturday. Sunday was double time behind the bar.
      “I was a waitress part time just to afford the boots.
      “I enjoyed working there and I got my boots in the end.”
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      Mead kicked off her career at Sunderland in 2011 and quickly became one of the club’s best players.
      She joined Arsenal in 2017 and has been with the Gunners ever since.
      Over the past year, Mead has enjoyed the highest of highs, but she has also endured awful lows.
      The winger was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in December following England’s historic European Championship victory.
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      She was also the 2022 Ballon d’Or runner-up.
      However, in January, Mead’s mother, June, tragically passed away following a battle with ovarian cancer.
      Speaking to The Guardian last month, Mead said: “When my mum was still alive, I had very bad moments of wanting to give up football and she picked me up and made me go on.
      “Obviously I lost that person, but then I had such an amazing group of people, friends, teammates, family around me that helped me get through.”
      Unfortunately, the winger is set to miss this year’s Women’s World Cup due to an ACL injury.
      She suffered the setback during a match against Manchester United in November last year, and although she has returned to light training, she was not deemed fit enough by Sarina Wiegman in May.
      Mead signed with Arsenal in 2017Credit: Getty
      Mead was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in DecemberCredit: PA More

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      Reading Women release THIRTEEN players after going part-time following relegation from WSL

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      READING announced a mass exodus of players following Women’s Super League relegation as the club’s financial woes deepened.Thirteen stars, including six internationals, were released following the expiration of their contracts.
      Reading are set for a squad overhaul this summer following the departure of 13 senior playersCredit: PA
      Belgium midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet is among the players released by the Royals who are now a part-time sideCredit: AFP
      The departures come just three weeks after Royals CEO Dayong Pang said the team will go part-time following their relegation to the Women’s Championship in May.
      The majority leaving were members of Reading’s senior women’s squad who were managed by Kelly Chambers before her departure earlier this month. 
      They include goalkeeper Grace Moloney, highly-rated forward Deanne Rose and striker Amalie Eikeland, 27, who made her 100th Royals appearance last season. 
      The trio are set to represent the Republic of Ireland, Canada and Norway respectively at the Women’s World Cup next month. 
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      Other talents leaving the struggling club include Scotland full-back Emma Mukandi, 30, Wales defender Gemma Evans 26 and forwards Natasha Dowie and Emma Harries.
      Earlier this month Harries, 21, who joined the Royals’ academy at the age of eight, described their relegation as a “sad day for women’s football”. 
      In a tweet the former England Under-19 vice captain wrote that club staff “deserved so much better”.
      In a written statement the club described the situation as “a challenging period for the team, marked by the disappointment of relegation to the Barclays (Women’s) Championship” .
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      It stated: “A number of new contract offers were issued – but within the constraints of a part-time programme operating in the second tier of the women’s game”.
      Kelly Chambers left her role as head coach earlier this month following Reading’s relegation from the WSLCredit: Getty
      The exit of the majority of Reading’s women squad comes just two days after the club were served with a winding-up petition by HMRC.
      The petition is said to relate to unpaid tax bills. 
      This month the Royals were also charged by the EFL for failing to pay their men’s team players on time and in full on three occasions last season. More

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      Arsenal boost forward ranks with Canada ace Cloe Lacasse joining club before Women’s World Cup

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      ARSENAL have boosted their options in attack by signing Canada international Cloe Lacasse.The forward, 29, joins the Gunners on a permanent deal following a four-year spell at Portuguese side Benfica. 
      Arsenal’s newest forward Cloe Lacasse has been included in Canada’s provisional squad for the World CupCredit: Getty
      Lacasse won eight trophies with her former club Benfica including three top-flight titlesCredit: Getty
      Lacasse, who Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall describes as a “proven goalscorer” notched up 102 in 131 games for her former side. 
      The length of her deal with the Gunners, who finished third in the WSL last season, has not been publicly disclosed by the club. 
      Of her move to the WSL side, Lacasse said: “I feel ready mentally and physically to be able to contribute here and win titles.
      “I feel that this club has everything it takes to compete for the highest honours. 

      “I want to go to the next level and score goals here for Arsenal. I’m super excited and enthusiastic to get started here.”
      Eidevall added: “Cloe is a proven goalscorer and has shown her quality over a number of seasons in two European leagues as well as the Champions League. 
      “She will add a different dimension to our attacking game and I’m looking forward to working with her.”
      Lacasse began her youth career in Canada before a move to the USA in 2011 to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes 
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      The forward later moved to Europe signing for Icelandic club IBV in 2015. 
      She helped their team win the Icelandic League Cup and Women’s Football trophy in 2016 and 2017. 
      And Lacasse would later lift eight trophies with Benfica from 2019 to this year including three top-flight titles in Portugal. 
      Lacasse and her Canada team-mates are set to play England in a behind-closed-doors game on July 9Credit: Getty
      Lacasse, who has 19 caps, has been named in Canada’s provisional squad for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July. 
      Players in the group managed by Bev Priestman include five WSL aces including Chelsea duo Kadeisha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming. 
      Priestman is set to name her final squad on July 9 five days ahead of a behind-closed-doors pre-tournament clash with England.  More

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      ‘There’s always a target on England’s back’, says Alessia Russo ahead of Lionesses’ World Cup test

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      ALESSIA RUSSO believes the Lionesses have a bullseye on their backs as they target World Cup glory following their Euros heroics. And the WSL star, 24, is relishing the competition for the starting striker place with Bethany England and Rachel Daly. 
      Alessia Russo is hoping England will bring their Euros-winning flair to the World CupCredit: PA
      The WSL star reckons training for the tournament has been perfect distraction from headlines concerning her futureCredit: PA
      Russo and Rachel Daly are among the Lionesses’ striker options along with Bethany EnglandCredit: Getty
      England’s clash against Portugal at Satdium MK on Saturday will be their final game on home soil before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand commences on July 20.
      And Sarina Wiegman’s side, who are targeting back-to-back major tournament wins, will face Haiti two days later
      Russo, who helped her team become European champions last July, said: “There’s always a target on England’s back in football. 
      “We feel really good. It will be a completely different tournament.
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      “The Euros is behind us now and it was an incredible summer. 
      “We saw what we can do and now it’s time for us to come together on the world stage.”
      Russo is one of seven WSL aces in Wiegman’s forward ranks for the World Cup with the player scoring 10 goals in 20 top-flight games last term. 
      The group also includes England and Daly who were among the Women’s Super League’s top three finishers last term with Aston Villa ace Daly winning the Golden Boot. 
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      Russo added: “You’re always learning as a player and when I first came in, to have the likes of Ellen White there to learn from was incredible. 
      “Even now with Rach and Beth we are learning things off each other every day. 
      “Competition has been so high. Rachel and Beth, we’re all competing. 
      “They are top, top players so to be able to play with them and train with them every day has been great. The wingers too. 
      “There is so much competition all over the pitch but as a player that’s exactly what you want in the squad.”
      England’s opener on July 22 could see Russo play her first World Cup match against debutants Haiti in Group D in Brisbane, Australia. 
      The game at the 52,500-seater Suncorp Stadium comes 36 days after her Manchester United departure with the player linked to Arsenal following the expiration of her club contract in June.  
      Russo confirmed her Red Devils farewell in a tweet describing her exit after a three-year spell as the “hardest decision” she has ever made. 
      The England ace is thought to be closing in on a switch to the Gunners who reportedly had two record-breaking bids knocked back in January. 
      And aside from Arsenal Russo is also thought to have attracted interest from record Champions League winners Lyon and top tier sides in the United States
      Of the speculation, she added: “Towards the end of the season it was tough.
      “You don’t like things in the media about you but that’s football
       “There’s no nice time to sort things like that out.
      “But now I’m here it’s nice to have a full focus on a massive tournament coming up.”
      “Coming back into an environment like this is perfect because you’re competing and all your focus is on England.”
      This friendship is for life now and she’ll definitely be one of my bridesmaids one day.Alessia Russo on her friendship with Ella Toone
      The Lionesses’ clash with Haiti could see Russo in action with Ella Toone almost a year on from the duo helping England lift the Euros trophy at Wembley. 
      That 2-1 win over Germany last July saw Toone, 23 make history becoming the first Lioness to score at a Euros final at the stadium. 
      For Russo it was among the highlights of a friendship that goes back almost decade with their pair becoming during days in England’s Under-15s squad. 
      The Maidstone-born forward added: “We were friends before we played at United together, we’ve been friends since we were 12 or 13.
      “The friendship is for life now and she’ll definitely be one of my bridesmaids one day!
      “Ella is super talented and has no ceiling. Her potential is massive, it’s really cool to see.
      “We talk about the Euros all the time, about how special it is to go through a journey with someone and then achieve one of your dreams together.
      Russo ranks winning the Euros alongside her team-mate and pal Ella Toone as one of her favourite memoriesCredit: Reuters
      “There are loads of people who are really close in the team and that’s important because football is tough.
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      “Sometimes you have a bad day and you need to lean on someone and vice versa. 
      “When we are on the other side of the world it’s nice to have a little comfort there.” More

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      England Lionesses hero Chloe Kelly goes topless and strips to undies as she teams up with USA star for Calvin Klein ad

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      LIONESS Chloe Kelly has stripped down to her underwear alongside her fellow World Cup stars for a stunning photoshoot ahead of the tournament. The Manchester City forward, 25, was England’s heroine during last year’s Women’s Euros when she scored a last-minute goal in extra-time against Germany to win the competition.
      Chloe Kelly features in the advertising campaign for Calvin Klein
      She could be seen posing for the camera
      The campaign comes just before the Women’s World Cup is due to begin
      The Lionesses star is part of the England squad for the upcoming tournament
      Chloe posed with her top off as part of the photoshoot
      USA National Team star Alex Morgan also joined in the campaign
      She posed in her underwear for the empowering shoot
      Alex plays for San Diego Wave in the States, but spent a season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur in 2020
      Alex modelled in a denim jacket for one of her photos
      Chloe is now appearing in new campaign for clothing brand Calvin Klein ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
      The WSL star follows a whole host of famous male footballers who have posed for underwear brands before, including David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Freddie Ljungberg.
      Chloe features alongside USA and San Diego Wave star Alex Morgan in the ad in which both strip down to their underwear.
      Other huge names in women’s football including Manchester City and Australia forward Mary Fowler and Japan and former Arsenal star Mana Iwabuchi also feature in the shoot.
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      The campaign was shot by New York-based photographer Brianna Capozzi, and represents athleticism, strength and vulnerability.
      A whole host of male footballers have pose for underwear brands before, including fellow England star David Beckham
      Cristiano Ronaldo has posed for his own underwear brand
      PSG megastar Neymar has also stripped off for shoots
      Chloe can be seen in her pictures posing for the camera in an array of different outfits.
      She even appears topless with her back facing the camera in one image as she sports some Calvin Klein jeans on her bottom half.
      The Women’s World Cup is due to begin on July 20 when New Zealand host Norway to kick off the competition.
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      Chloe has been selected as part of Serena Wiegman’s 23-player England squad, who play their first game against Haiti on July 22.
      The Lionesses will be hoping to repeat their success in the Euros last year after they won the trophy at Wembley in front of a home crowd to end 56 years of hurt for England.
      Former Arsenal and Tottenham star Mana Iwabuchi also appeared in the campaign
      WSL newcomer Mary Fowler was part of the shoot too More

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      Steph Houghton opens up on Lionesses omission and believes she will ‘not be playing for England again’

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      STEPH HOUGHTON described being left out of England’s squad before this year’s Women’s World Cup as “hard to take”. And the Manchester City skipper, 35, insists she did everything she had been asked in a bid to reclaim a spot in the national side. 
      Steph Houghton says she ‘never turn her back on her country’ but believes she may not play for England againCredit: Alamy
      The Manchester City captain was left out of Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong squad for this year’s Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
      Houghton has not played for the Lionesses since February 2021Credit: Getty
      Houghton was sharing her thoughts in an interview with the Daily Mail with just under a month to go until the tournament starts in Australia and New Zealand. 
      The centre-back, who shone at times last term including during City’s 2-1 defeat of Arsenal in February, was left out of Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the contest. 
      Her omission follows a season which saw her net twice in 14 WSL appearances after re-establishing herself in City’s starting XI following her return from injury. 
      Houghton, who has 121 senior international caps, said: “I was disappointed because of how much effort I’d put into doing the things I was asked to do which was to get back into the City team, to play well and to play well against the best players.
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      “I spoke to the manager. She said firstly I need to get back into the team because I’d had a long period of time out.
      “I fought my way back. The next thing was to play well and to keep your shirt. 
      “From January on I’ve started every single game bar one. I feel as though I was in form, fit and ready to go. 
      “But sometimes it happens that you have a manager that doesn’t see you as part of their plans.”
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      Houghton, who was part of the side that reached the 2019 World Cup semis under Phil Neville, has not played for England since February 2021. 
      An ankle injury sustained during a Lionesses’ training camp in September that year led to her withdrawing before Wiegman’s first game in charge of the team. 
      The England captain’s armband was handed to Leah Williamson ahead of that match. 
      It was a World Cup qualifier the team would win 8-0 against North Macedonia before embarking on an unbeaten run that included an Arnold Clark Cup triumph last year. 
      The Arsenal defender has remained England’s captain since leading the side to a historic Women’s Euros win at Wembley last July. 
      Houghton was included by Wiegman in England’s Euros warm-up camp last summer before being cut from the gaffer’s provisional squad.
      And with three senior Lionesses picking up long-term knee injuries, including Gunners ace, Williamson some observers thought she may be in with a chance of a recall. 
      However the defender, who signed a one-year contract extension with Man City this month, did not make the cut ahead of the World Cup. 
      Of her chat with Wiegman in regard to being left out of the squad, Houghton added: “The conversation was very vague to be honest.
      “I think that’s what’s hard to take. I felt as though I could have brought something to the squad. 
      “I knew what the role would be — I wouldn’t be starting matches but I would have supported the girls one million per cent. 
      “I’m team first. But it’s the manager’s decision. I didn’t argue but I did say, ‘I’ve done everything you’ve asked us to do.
      “At that moment I think I was done with the whole situation. 
      “I’d been fighting with myself for 18 months to prove I can still play at that level. 
      “I think I did that but it was pretty clear from that conversation that I won’t be playing for England again.
      Houghton is set to enter her tenth year as Man City player next seasonCredit: Getty
      Houghton, who signed a one-year Man City contract extension this month, is approaching the tenth anniversary of her move to the club. 
      On whether she is tempted to end her international career, she added: “All I’ve ever wanted to do is play for my country. 
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      “It’s something I’ll have to think about over the summer.
      “I’d never turn my back on my country but I don’t know if I would put myself under that kind of pressure again.” More