In a recent forum with supporters, Carla Ward said that with December being a tough month (Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City) she was glad that the club had racked up a good number of points putting it in a strong 6th position. She also spoke about how few options off the bench she has at the moment. She hopes to be able to bring in more players in the new year, and have a fully fit squad, but right now it is what it is.

And what it is on Sunday is a trip to Arsenal. Currently sitting second in the league, the Gunners lead on Goals For with a massive 30 – an average of 4.28 a game and not far off the combined total of Manchester United (they lost to them) and Chelsea who they sit between. It’s going to be a tough one, that’s a given, yet Blues have form this season when it come to facing off against a big team. On the 4th October, they hosted Chelsea and held them to a single goal, with an on form Claudia Walker coming within a match ticket’s width of sharing the points. Carla Ward was delighted, despite the loss: “I told the girls to take a lot of heart from that because if we defend that well and keep improving week on week then the points will come sooner or later. It is a work in progress at the minute. Each week we are getting tighter and more organised as a group, we are talking more and we are certainly fighting more which is all I ask.” And they have continued to do all that.

Carla Ward may not have many options but what she has have shown a courage and a determination that they didn’t think they could show any more. She’s been a breath of fresh air in a club for whom many supporters were losing hope. She has imbued her players with a hunger and a spirit they had lost, and they have responded in kind. So going into a game against Arsenal they are not disheartened but ready to kick on and come out with as many points as they can.

The match is on FA Player and kicks off at 2pm. Match report to follow. Until then…

#KRO