As a Stoke City fan, Beth Roberts says it will be a ‘special’ feeling to play at the bet365 Stadium on Sunday, but insists she is fully focused on getting all three points with Wolves Women.
Dan McNamara’s side travel to face the Potters in the FA Women’s National League and ahead of another game on a stadium pitch, left-back Roberts has spoken about the feel-good factor within the group following successive victories, the start of a three-game week and what to expect from opponents Stoke.
On relationships within the group
“We’ve been really pleased and it does feel like everything is coming together. We’ve had a few new additions – the likes of AJ (Abbi Jenner), Becks (Becky Anderson), Charl (Charlotte Greengrass) and I just feel like they’ve all really settled in now.
“The relationships between them and the existing players is really starting to show on the pitch. I feel like we’ve got a bit of confidence about us now and we’re definitely backing ourselves more. It’s been a really exciting couple of weeks.”
“We’ve got a bit of everything. The experience Charl and Beck have coming from Forest is great and they know the league inside out. They’re two really great players on and off the pitch.
“AJ has been exceptional. She’s got experience of playing with WSL and Championship players, training with them week in week out, and you can really tell by her quality when she’s on the ball and when she’s out of possession – I think she’s been brilliant.”
On the reaction in the last two games
“It’s just the reaction we all wanted. We did believe in ourselves and knew we were a lot better than the performance we put out against Forest and Stoke in the cup.
“I’m really proud of how the girls reacted, and the staff as well. They really pushed us in the training sessions and the intensity was really high which I think helps us a lot.”
On heading into a three-game week
“It feels like a great time to have a three-game week with some of the momentum we’ve had.
“We’ve already been preparing on the training ground, off the pitch in the gym and in the classroom. It’s great that we’ve got really good squad depth at the moment so going into a three-game week, that’s what you want.”
On playing at the bet365 Stadium and being a Stoke fan
“I played there once when I was at Stoke and a couple of times when I was at college.
“I’m a Stoke fan so it will be special for me playing there. Regardless of whether I’m the home or away team, it’s always a special moment.
“I’ll be a Wolves fan through and through when I’m on that pitch on Sunday. I can’t wait to get on another great pitch after playing at Turf Moor the other week.”
On the threat of Stoke
“They’re a great side and the past couple of years they’ve been building. We all know it’s going to be such a tough test.
“We’ve seen the quality they have in the cup game and again, they’ve got really good depth in their squad.
“We’re going to have to make sure we’re really up for the battle because we know they’re going to give 110% on the pitch – we’ve got to match that.”
On the backing of the supporters
“As a football fan, it’s what you want, going to different grounds. I know from playing there that it’s a great pitch and watching the men’s team there, there’s always been a great atmosphere in the stadium.
“It’s one the fans can definitely look forward to and we hope to see as many of them there as possible and do them all proud.”
