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      Former Aston Villa boss Marcus Bignot hails Midlands teams for securing WSL survival and Eni Aluko

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      MARCUS BIGNOT has praised Aston Villa and Birmingham City for assuring that the Midlands will be represented in the WSL next season.Both teams from the region were embroiled in a fight for survival but came out unscathed from the battle that raged until the season finale.
      Bignot praised Villa and Birmingham for securing their WSL statusCredit: Reuters
      Leicester City make it a trio of Midland’s clubs in the top division after their promotion and Villa’s departing interim boss couldn’t be more delighted.
      The 46-year-old said: “For me, for Midlands football, I’m delighted.
      “There’ll be representation now with Aston Villa, Birmingham and now Leicester.”
      After slugging it out at the bottom end of the table, Bignot reckons now’s the time for the region’s sides to start challenging for the title and develop the sport in the area.
      The ex-Blues boss added: “I think it’s a real opportunity now for Midlands football to really sit at the top table now in the WSL.
      “And not only sit at the top table but really develop girls and women’s football in the area.”
      Bignot believes role models such as Villa director Eniola Aluko are critical to the development of the sport in the area.
      The Birmingham-born gaffer continued: “Let’s have some more role models, we’ve got our sporting director Eniola Aluko who’s had a fabulous career.
      Bignot now wants the region’s clubs to start challenging for the WSLCredit: Getty
      He also would like them to produce more role models like Villa director Eni AlukoCredit: Rex
      “Who’s gonna be the next one to make a name, who’s gonna be the next one to get into the senior team?
      “Which crop is going to be at the forefront of Midlands football and compete at the top level in the WSL?
      “That’s the challenge for Birmingham, Villa and Leicester now.”
      But domestic superiority isn’t enough for Bignot who feels the players from the Midlands need to infiltrate the England squad also.
      He claimed the the region used to be the core of the Lionesses squad and he wants to see those days return.
      Bignot said: “I’ve looked at the England senior team and there’s not much representation now from Birmingham and the Mildlands.
      “Whereas year’s gone by, Birmingham were the flagship at the Midlands in terms of developing England youth international and senior players.”
      Unfortunately, Bignot won’t have a hands-on role in the area’s football development due to his imminent exit from Villa’s dugout.
      Although he’ll no longer be in the WSL, Bignot will be kept busy with his academy , which was suspended during the Covid pandemic and his coaching role with England Under-19 men’s team.
      But before he gets stuck back in to his numerous roles, he plans to spend some quality time with his family.
      Bignot said: “I’m going to visit my nan, because I haven’t seen her for awhile. I miss my son who’s with my nan.
      “I’ve got my academy, we’ve got an exciting partnership with the famous City University.
      “I’ve got England Under-19’s and preparation for the qualifiers.”
      Despite his departure and future endeavours, Bignot remains committed to helping Midlands football in any way that he can.
      He said: “For me, in women’s football in the Midlands, I wanna see progress and in any way I can help, I’ll help.
      “I want to support the football club, the staff and players in any way that I can, so we shall see.”
      He became the club’s interim manager in January until the end of the season to help them stay in the league.

      When he arrived, Villa were in second from bottom with one win in ten games.
      But after an amazing run, which saw Villa go unbeaten in their last 5 games and earned Bignot with a Manager of the Month Award in April, they managed to turn things around.
      They went into the last game of the season against Arsenal needing a point to secure their league position, which they earned with a sublime performance.
      Bignot won’t be at the club to help them push for WSL success but says he’ll always be there to support any way that he canCredit: Getty
      Aston Villa’s Carney Chukwuemeka scores stunning hat trick More

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      Arsenal reportedly closing in on Mana Iwabuchi transfer after Jill Roord’s move to Wolfsburg

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      ARSENAL are thought to be in pole position to sign Women’s World Cup-winning Japan star Mana Iwabuchi. The Telegraph claims Iwabuchi is being eyed as a replacement for Netherlands forward Jill Roord following her departure from the Gunners for Wolfsburg.
      Mana Iwabuchi is reportedly a transfer target for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Japan star Iwabuchi has been linked with Arsenal following Jill Roord’s move to German giants WolfsburgCredit: Getty
      It is thought Arsenal, who finished third to qualify for next term’s Women’s Champions League, are looking to bolster their attacking ranks. 
      Roord, 24, netted seven goals for the club in 19 WSL games this term.
      These include hat-tricks against Reading and West Ham. 
      Iwabuchi, who has attracted interest from Arsenal in the past, has been making waves at Aston Villa. 
      The Japan international helped the Midlands club retain their WSL spot following a topsy-turvy battle against relegation.
      Results include a hard-fought point against the Gunners, restricting them to a goalless draw during Joe Montemurro’s final league game in charge of Arsenal.
      Iwabuchi, 28, whose Women’s Super League switch was announced in December, netted two goals in 13 top-flight appearances for Villa.
      The former Bayern Munich forward plied her trade at top-flight Japan side INAC Kobe Leonessa before making her move to England. 
      Iwabuchi was reportedly a target for Arsenal in the 2019-20 seasonCredit: Zuma Press
      It is reported Iwabuchi – who won the Women’s World Cup in 2011 with Japan – was a transfer target for Arsenal, who play Crystal Palace in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup.  
      In February Montemurro, 52, – who is set to leave the club – revealed the forward had been on his radar for more than a year. 
      The Gunners boss told fans site Arseblog: “Mana was a player of interest to me for around 18 months or so.
      “Firstly we had a few challenges with her national team who wanted their players in and around Japan for the World Cup and then the (2020) Olympics.

      “Initially we had planned around that but then the Olympic games were cancelled.
      “We had to look at other alternatives but Mana is a player I have always admired and feel that she suits our style.”
      Villa, who today confirmed the departures of head coach Gemma Davis and interim manager Marcus Bignot, two rising star academy forwards to their senior squad this year.
      Strikers Freya Gregory, 18, and Isobel Goodwin, 19, both signed their first professional contracts this term.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Marcus Bignot has left his role as interim manager at Aston Villa Women’s following their WSL survivalCredit: Getty
      Rio Ferdinand, Jens Lehmann and Robin van Persie star in BT Sports new women’s football series Ultimate Goal More

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      Chelsea 5 Reading 0: Kirby and Kerr help buoyant Blues seal fourth WSL title win ahead of Barcelona duel

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      FRAN KIRBY delivered a fine display of ‘frantasy’ football to help Chelsea rumble the Royals and win back-to-back WSL titles. The England ace’s brace and a deadly Sam Kerr double fired the Blues to the trophy after their 5-0 drubbing of Reading. 
      Chelsea beat Reading to win the WSL title – making it a Double for the fourth time in six yearsCredit: Getty
      Deadly duo Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby both netted braces in Chelsea’s 5-0 romp against ReadingCredit: Getty
      A 12th clean sheet saw Ann-Katrin Berger capture the WSL’s Golden Gloves, with Kerr ending her phenomenal second season as top scorer on 21 goals. 
      And Blues gaffer Emma Hayes was full of praise for Kerr, Kirby and Beth England. 
      Hayes said: “They’ve been unbelievable. And I said to Beth this week it’s really difficult because you ask me all the time about Sam and Fran and she must be sick to death of hearing that.  
      “But last year Beth was such a huge contributor to why we are here.
      “Today I didn’t take Beth off the bench because I really wanted Sam to get the Golden Boot, which Beth is more than happy for her to do. 
      “But the fact that we’re producing 20-plus goals in our strikers every season is the reason why we’re in the hunt for the title every year.”
      The result saw Chelsea become the first WSL outfit since Liverpool in 2014 to win successive WSL titles.
      It comes just a week before their historic Champions League final clash with Barcelona. 
      Emma Hayes has set her sights on adding a Women’s Champions League trophy to Chelsea’s cabinetCredit: Getty

      And Hayes warned her champs have no intention of being bullied by their European rivals – who clinched the La Liga Women’s title with 26 straight wins and a whopping 126 goals.
      Hayes added: “I know how good they are, but so are we. I’m not going there to suck butt, I’m going there to win the game. 
      “They’ve got amazing ability if you allow them to hurt you in the areas they want, there’s no question.
      “They are deserving of being in the final, but so are we.”
      Chelsea’s pivotal end-of-season clash with Reading began with emotional tributes to two much-loved football legends who left their mark on the women’s game. 
      Hayes presented Fara Williams – who played her last ever professional match – with a bouquet and a Blues shirt adorned with her name. 
      Hayes paid tribute to England legend Fara Williams who took to the field for her final game as a professional playerCredit: Getty
      And both teams held a minute’s applause in honour of Doncaster Rovers Belles icon Julie Chipchase, who passed away at the age of 60 following a short illness. 
      Hayes’ aces – eager to cement their status as the league’s top dogs – came storming out of the blocks. 
      And they were on the scoresheet inside the first five minutes courtesy of Melanie Leupolz. 
      The Germany star evaded her marker to latch on to a Jess Carter pass from a corner. 
      The midfield maestro swept in a low strike through a congested penalty box to stun the Royals in the second minute. 
      Reading refused to let their heads drop and nd the visitors saw Rachel Rowe’s 21st-minute shot from outside the penalty area blocked by Kirby.
      Reading’s Rachel Rowe saw her shot on goal blocked in the first halfCredit: PA
      But Chelsea doubled the lead minutes before half-time with Kerr and Kirby combining to deadly effect.
      The Australia star squared the ball to Kirby who doubled the hosts lead with a side-footed effort.  
      The second-half saw little let up from the champions.
      And Kirby was on target with a ferocious left-footed rocket after Kerr latched on to a long ball to tee up her team-mate in the 55th minute. 
      The league’s Golden Boot winner registered her brace following a lofted pass over Reading’s defence from Kirby in the 71st minute.
      The Matildas skipper became the second player in WSL history to pass the 21-goal mark in a league season.
      And Erin Cuthbert wrapped up the Blues’ victory with a fifth goal following a rebound after Grace Moloney’s save from Kerr’s header.
      Chelsea’s fourth WSL title win marked a triumphant start to a mammoth seven days for Hayes, with her players targeting a quadruple.
      Next up is their Women’s Champions League duel with Barca. 
      But before then Hayes is looking forward to enjoying some well-earned relaxation in the company of her two-year-old son. 
      Ann-Katrin Berger captured this season’s WSL Golden Gloves after keeping 12 clean sheets in the leagueCredit: Getty
      Hayes said: “I woke up this morning feeling so bad at how little I’d seen my little boy, because of what I had to do here.
      “The last words he said to me when I walked out the door were: ‘Mummy, bring a medal home for me today’, so that’s what I’m doing. 
      “I’m going to go home and spend much-valued time with my child because he’s not going to see much of Mummy this week.
      “I’m going to be away three nights from Friday, so it’s good to get quality time when it matters.”
       Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea will play Everton in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round after their Champions League finalCredit: Prime Media
      Rio Ferdinand, Jens Lehmann and Robin van Persie star in BT Sports new women’s football series Ultimate Goal More

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      Hayes hopes Chelsea fan Fara Williams will welcome Blues’ WSL title win if champs defeat Reading

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      EMMA HAYES hopes Blues fan Fara Williams will back Chelsea becoming WSL champs even if they trounce Reading. And Hayes thinks it is fitting that England’s most capped footballer will end her glittering career at the club where she began her rise 20 years ago. 
      Royals skipper Fara Williams will retire after Reading’s final game of the season against ChelseaCredit: Getty
      A win against the Royals for Emma Hayes’ team will see the Blues retain their WSL titleCredit: PA
      Williams and Reading will go head-to-head with a Chelsea side hoping to become the first team to win back-to-back WSL crowns since Liverpool in 2014. 
      But the Royals will be looking to spoil the Blues’ party as they push for a sixth-place finish and a triumphant farewell to one of the women’s game’s best players. 
      Hayes, 44, said: “I admire Fara immensely for achieving what she’s done with the setbacks she’s had.
      “She’s got a great football mind, a great understanding of football tactics,
      “She has a love and appreciation for that and I think she will be outstanding if she goes into coaching.
      “I don’t know what she will be doing (after she stops playing) but I certainly encourage that she does. 
      “I think it’s fitting that she finishes a career at the club she started at and I know she’s a Chelsea fan. 
      “I hope that, even if she’s on the losing team on Sunday, the other team she supports is winning the title.”
      Williams, 37, made headlines this month after revealing plans to end her 20-year career at the end of this WSL season.
      The midfielder’s 20-year career has seen her play for Chelsea, Charlton, Everton, Liverpool, Arsenal and Reading and receive 172 England caps.
      Her silverware wins include back-to-back WSL titles with the Reds in 2013 and 2014 and two FA Cups with the Toffees and the Gunners.
      Williams’ announcement came three months after she bravely opened up on her 12-month battle with a kidney condition known as nephrotic syndrome. 
      Williams’ stellar career has seen her play for six different clubs over two decadesCredit: Getty

      And Williams, who scored 30 goals for Chelsea in the 2000-01 season, has not been distracted by the fact her appearance against the Blues will be her last ever as a professional player.
      Williams said: “I’ve not thought too much about this being my last game, but I have thought that it will be against a team that I support and played for during my youth career.
      “It’s special to go and finish my career against the team where I started out.
      “It would have been nice to have friends and family at the game.
      “So many have messaged me wanting to celebrate with me after the match.”
      Williams represented Team GB at the London 2012 OlympicsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Chelsea have won seven of their past nine encounters with the Royals in the top flight with Reading securing draws in their other two fixtures. 
      A victory for Hayes’ aces would seal their fourth WSL crown win and see them move ahead of Arsenal to become the club with the most  WSL titles.       
      And the Blues boss, who has her sights set on a Women’s Champions League trophy, feels privileged to be doing a job that feels like a hobby to her.
      Hayes added: “Coaching is like a hobby. I’m just doing something I love every day
      Chelsea are looking to register their second win of the season against ReadingCredit: PA
      ‘I’m just lucky to be doing it with the best players in the world. 
      “This is probably the best team I’ve ever coached, I think that’s fair to say.
      But I think I’d take something away from all the players I’ve ever coached in my career if I put a back-to-back title wins above achievements with other teams
      “I wouldn’t do it, because I have so many happy memories of coaching across my career and that’s probably the best thing I could say.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea will play Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final seven days on from their clash with ReadingCredit: Getty
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Eriksson warns Chelsea need to be at their best to stop Reading ruining their WSL title hopes

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      MAGDA ERIKSSON wants Chelsea to bring their ‘A’ game to beat Reading in a duel to determine if they retain their WSL crown.And the Blues captain is relishing the chance to lead Chelsea to battle against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final.
      Magda Eriksson reckons Chelsea will face a tough encounter against ReadingCredit: Rex
      Eriksson hopes to lead Chelsea to back-to-back WSL title winsCredit: Rex
      Eriksson, 27, was speaking to reporters ahead of one of the biggest weeks in the history of Chelsea Women.
      Emma Hayes’ aces are bidding to become the first English team since Arsenal to win the most prestigious contest for elite women’s football clubs in Europe. 
      And today the Blues will attempt to become the first side to win back-to-back titles since Matt Beard’s 2014 Liverpool outfit.
      An end-of-season victory against Reading would see the Kingsmeadow club retain their WSL crown.
      Eriksson, 27, said: “I’m really proud of the team and what we’ve achieved this season so far.
      “But we’re 100% aware that the job isn’t done. We still have a big assignment and a big task today.  
      “We know Reading are a tough team, and they’re going to bring their ‘A’ game and try to ruin things for us, so there’s a lot left to do.
      “But I’ve been really, really proud of how we dealt with the season. 
      “It’s been a difficult season. We’ve not been able to see our loved ones because of Covid, we’ve not been able to go home. 
      “I think the way we’ve taken care of each other this season has been amazing and a big part of the success for sure.”
      Eriksson is due to captain Chelsea against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League finalCredit: Rex

      Eriksson has made 77 WSL appearances for Chelsea since her 2017 move from three-time Swedish champions Linköpings.
      Her return to action from injury made a positive difference to the Blues’ performance against Bayern Munich helping them triumph in the Champions League second leg semis. 
      The Kingsmeadow skipper pulled off a spectacular goalline clearance to deny German giants a chance to move ahead of the champs on away goals. 
      And the centre-back will become the first top female player from Sweden to skipper an English side in the Women’s Champions League final. 
      The game against Barcelona will be a fairytale moment for Eriksson and her Blues and Sweden team-mates Zecira Musovic and Jonna Andersson.
      The clash will place in the home ground of their country’s national women’s team in Gothenburg. 
      Chelsea dispatched Bayern Munich to reach their first Women’s Champions League finalCredit: Prime Media
      Eriksson added: “It just feels like the perfect moment that it’s actually in Sweden and in my home country, and it’s my first Champions League final. 
      “Obviously, all those things make an amazing moment even more amazing. 
      “I’m really proud that we reached the final and the fact that it is in Sweden, it means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to Jonna (Andersson) and Zecira (Musovic) as well. 
      “It’s a big occasion and I hope we can get out there and go all the way.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea are aiming to become the first women’s club from England to triumph in Europe since Arsenal in 2007Credit: PA
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Birmingham Women hit with fine and one-point deduction ahead of Tottenham clash

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      BIRMINGHAM have been drawn back into the WSL’s relegation fight after being penalised for fielding a suspended player. The club have had a point deducted for including Ruesha Littlejohn in a league game against Reading, despite the midfielder receiving a one-match ban. 
      Birmingham have been penalised with a one-point deduction for fielding a suspended player in a WSL gameCredit: Zuma Press
      Birmingham have been fined £400 for playing Ruesha Littlejohn against Reading on April 12Credit: Getty
      The FA says Birmingham admitted to a breach of competition rules “for fielding an ineligible player” against the Royals in a WSL match on April 12. 
      Carla Ward’s side have also been hit with a £400 fine before their end of season home duel with Tottenham. 
      And Littlejohn has been given an immediate one-match ban for failing “to comply with an automatic suspension”. 
      The ruling was decided by an Independent Tribunal ahead of the final day of the 2021-22 WSL season. 
      It means the Damson Park club have seen their points total drop from 15 to 14 with West Ham moving above them to ninth in the table. 
      And the new tally for Birmingham brings them level on points with rivals Aston Villa – who face a daunting trip to Arsenal. 
      The one-point deduction means Blues will be determined to get a win or at least a draw against Tottenham to guarantee their place in the top flight. 
      Prior to the FA’s announcement Ward said: “I think both of us will go out to win the game. 
      Birmingham will play Tottenham at home in their final WSL game of the seasonCredit: Zuma Press
      “I think Tottenham will be tough to play against despite losing 2-0 to Chelsea. They are an exceptional side. 
      “They’ve had a run of games fine without a win, but they’ve got some unbelievable players and some real experience in there.
      “Rehanne has got them well-drilled. Ultimately it’s going to be a tough game but both teams will go out there and look to get on the front foot.

      “I think both will go out there and try and win the game.”
      Birmingham will be hoping results elsewhere go in their favour with bottom-placed Bristol needing a win away at Brighton to beat the drop. 
      Should Blues lose, Villa draw and Bristol win, Birmingham could end up dropping out of the WSL for the first time in the league’s ten-year history.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Tottenham are looking to finish the season with an away win after a home loss to ChelseaCredit: Getty
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      Alex Scott blasts former club Arsenal for dismal exit from Europa League after Villarreal defeat

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      ALEX SCOTT slammed Arsenal after their shock exit from the Europa League – and admitted they just aren’t good enough.The 36-year-old was left fuming while working for US broadcasters CBS Sports during the Gunners 2-1 aggregate loss to Villarreal last night.
      Popular pundit and massive Gooner Scott was probably not smiling last nightCredit: Getty
      The ex-defender blasted the Gunners’ poor performance after they crashed outCredit: Reuters
      The ex-defender was not just annoyed about her former club’s loss, but more the quality of their performance in the second leg of their semi-final tie.
      The footie pundit dismissed Mikel Arteta’s side as ‘simply not good enough’.
      Scott said: “I need a minute to compose myself.
      “I’m getting all hot – well, I was hot throughout that whole game.
      “It’s hard – being connected with the club, being an Arsenal ambassador, growing up at the club – to see what I’m seeing.
      “I know the reaction straight away is that passion as a fan and seeing the embarrassment.
      “But actually when you do break it down, this Arsenal team is simply not good enough.”
      And Scott doesn’t see the good times returning to the club any time soon.
      She questioned if the owners will invest in the club and if the team had the desire to winCredit: Getty
      Scott made 148 appearances for the Gunners during her careerCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      She questioned the team’s desire to win, the owner’s commitment to invest and the ability to attract big stars without the allure of European football.
      Scott raged: “You need to question are [the owners] going to put in the funds? Is the investment there?
      “Does this team want to get back to the top? Because it’s going to take a lot of work.
      “And the fact that we’re now going to struggle even to get into European competition next season.
      “I can only see it getting worse because you’re not even going to attract players to come to the club.”
      The MBE also believes the club’s recruitment process over the last few years and its long-running feud with Mesut Ozil have a part to play in their demise.
      She added: “It’s been a mixture of the recruitment over the last couple of seasons.
      “When Mikel came in he had to assess the squad and move players on, the whole Mesut Ozil situation which lingered over the club.
      “The transfers which I mentioned at the top of the show with Willian.
      “So I think there’s a number of things in place with the club at the moment that needs sorting out and looking at.”
      The ex-defender, who made 148 appearances for the Gunners, will be more happy with them women’s team who are doing much better than the men’s side in the league at the moment.
      While the men are languishing in lowly ninth-place in the Premier League, Joe Montemurro’s side are flying high in the Women’s Super League.
      His team beat rivals Manchester United to third place in the league and have effectively secured Champions League qualification with one game left to go in the WSL.
      But the Gunners’ last game against Aston Villa on Sunday will be Montemurro’s final WSL match in charge after he announced his departure from the club last month. More

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      Beard reckons Bristol can use lessons from losses to beat WSL relegation and Brighton

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      MATT BEARD believes Bristol can draw strength from disappointments they faced this term as they gear up for their big WSL survival battle. And the interim Robins boss praised his players for taking the relegation battle to the wire before their end-of-season crunch clash with Brighton. 
      A win for Bristol against Brighton and a loss for Aston Villa would Matt Beard’s players beat relegationCredit: Rex
      Bristol defeated Brighton in their last league encounter at Twerton ParkCredit: Rex
      An away defeat of the Seagulls – with Aston Villa losing to Arsenal – would see the Twerton Park outfit maintain their WSL spot.
      And Beard, 43,who led the bottom-placed Robins to a win and three draws in seven league games since March, hailed his players’ never say die attitude.  
      Beard said: “This team doesn’t give up on anything and whatever happens, the team deserves an enormous amount of credit for getting themselves in this position. 
      “I’ve heard people turn around and say Bristol City will go down.
      “I’ve heard managers say it, I’ve heard general managers say it from other football clubs. They all thought Bristol City were going to go down.
      “But we’ve upset the apple cart and we’ve dragged teams into it that didn’t expect to be in it because they thought Bristol City would go down. 
      “But it’s not in my nature to take a job and just go through the motions and I’ve given everything so far to the football club and to the players. 
      “And we’ve got one big, last performance as a group together to try and get three points and try and stay in the division. 
      “I think we can draw upon and take confidence from all our experiences, even the disappointments including the game against West Ham because we should have comfortably won that. 
      “That showed the progression that we were making in that short space of time.” 
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      Ebony Salmon will be hoping to get on the score sheet when Bristol travel to BrightonCredit: Getty

      Bristol have registered a win and a draw against Brighton across all competitions this season. 
      And Hope Powell’s side sealed a narrow 1-0 victory against the Robins to knock them out of the Women’s FA Cup in April.
      The last WSL encounter between the teams ended in a dramatic 3-0 win for Bristol in January.
      But since then the Seagulls have gone on to win five of their last ten games across all competitions to rise to seventh in the table. 
      Defeat for Bristol would see them relegated to the Women’s Championship for the first time since 2015.
      And Beard, who will take charge of his final game as Robins interim gaffer admits his team will face a stern test against Powell’s side. 
      Beard added: “Hope (Powell) deserves a lot of credit for turning their season around. “Look we only played them a couple of weeks ago so we know how tough it’s going to be. 
      “They’re hard to break down, they’re defensively organised and dangerous on the counter, so we know exactly what to expect. 
      Brighton are seventh and looking to leapfrog Reading to finish sixthCredit: Getty
      “This is probably the ideal game for us because we’ve played them twice and we know a lot about them.
      “I’ve probably watched now, six, seven of their last matches because of the preparation for going into the game. 
      “For us, it’s about taking chances and sometimes that’s been our Achilles heels in some of the games 
      “We have good chances and we can’t afford not to take them this weekend.” 
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      A win for Hope Powell’s side could see them finish sixth in the WSL if Reading lose to ChelseaCredit: PA
      Rio Ferdinand, Jens Lehmann and Robin van Persie star in BT Sports new women’s football series Ultimate Goal
             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
      Beard said:  “This team doesn’t give up on anything and whatever happens, the team deserves an enormous amount of credit for getting themselves in this position. 
      “I’ve heard people turn around and say Bristol City will go down, I’ve heard managers say it, I’ve heard  general managers say it from other football clubs
      “They all thought Bristol City were going to go down, but we’ve upset the apple cart and we’ve dragged teams into it that didn’t expect to be in it because they just thought Bristol City would go down. 
      “But it’s not in my nature to take a job and just go through the motions and I’ve given everything so far to the football club and to the players. 
      “And we’ve got one big, last performance as a group together to try and get three points and try and stay in the division. 
      “I think we can draw upon and take confidence from all our experiences, even the disappointments including the game against West Ham because we should have comfortably won that. 
      “That showed the progression that we were making in that short space of time.” 
      Bristol have notched up a win and a draw against Brighton across all competitions so far this season. 
      And Hope Powell’s side sealed a narrow 1-0 victory against the Robins to knock them out of the Women’s FA Cup in the contest’s fourth round in April
      The last league encounter between the teams ended in an emphatic 3-0 win for Bristol in January.
      But since then the Seagulls have gone on to win five of their last ten games across all competitions and are now seventh in the table. 
      And Beard, who will take charge of his final game as Robins interim gaffer admits his team could face a tougher test against Powell’s side. 
      Beard added: “Hope (Powell) deserves a lot of credit for turning their season around. “Look we only played them a couple of weeks ago so we know how tough  it’s going to be. 
      “They’re hard to break down, they’re defensively organised and dangerous on the counter, so we know exactly what to expect. 
      “This is probably the ideal game for us because we’ve played them twice and we know a lot about them. I’ve probably watched now, six, seven of their last matches because of the preparation for going into the game. 
      “For us it’s about taking chances and sometimes that’s been our Achilles heels in some of the games 
      “We have good chances and we can’t afford not to take them this weekend.” More