 Welcome to the Everton women's show. I'm here with Sarah Halpin to talk all things Everton women because she is She's the guru She's the she's the one who knows everything about ever and she She goes on the bus of them. She stays in the hotels with them. She goes to games with them. She's Can't get any closer to everton women than Sarah Halpin. Sarah how's it going? Yeah good. Thank you It's good to be back on and yeah, it's been a good week for everton women So feeling and of course for everton as well. So all smiles here Yeah, you know, you said good week Travel down to Reading after beating Birmingham City to get that first win in the season and yeah, I'm really comprehensive Victory against Reading 3-0 victory all the goals in the first half to put any names to bed And another three three points back to back wins So was it as easy as it looked with probably what people seeing from the highlights? I would say we were in total control I think it helped massively and the guard scored the first goal two minutes in and I think You know, you get your first goal of the game And you know if you carry on playing the way that you are that you're gonna take the take the three points home And from the moment we took the lead We were just in total control to be honest And I think Willie Kirk said in his interview It probably wasn't a three-nil half who scored all the all the goals in the first half But it was certainly a three-nil game and you know, we just looked totally comfortable and confident throughout Which is exactly what we needed and of course I think that the main thing to take from it was it was our first clean clean sheet of the season as well Which is which is huge for the girls and the confidence as well So yeah, I'm really really satisfying three points. It was Has as much change because obviously first two games I was really two tough games Against a couple of the best teams in in the league as anything changed like tactically, you notice because obviously Willie Kirk come under a lot of Criticism for changing the system going to three at the back obviously lots of new signings So is it just a case that it settled down in the last couple of games I never know playing weaker opposition or has he changed the system now that suits maybe the team a little bit more Yeah, he's changed the system as well We've seen Leonie Meyer come in as well. He was our proper, you know, German international right back We've been missing her for the first two games So we have players coming in and having to play sort of makeshift as right-wing back position and it didn't really Work out. So we've gone back more back to a flat back for Gabby George. It's been absolutely superb at center off And Leonie Meyer's come in and looked really solid as well And I think that just shoring up at the back and people knowing more where where they are on the pitch And you know, no disrespect to Reading as well, but it has been weaker opposition and Birmingham and Reading then with Manchester City and Chelsea So I think that the both the factors of changing things back to something that we know is more secure and works And the fact that the the opponents maybe have been a little bit easier But to be fair Reading are really tough on physical team But I think having Leonie Meyer back in a proper right back for that position has made a massive difference And just means that whenever an attack attack, we're so high in the press constantly pressing and possession And you know having that solid back for I think just makes it easier for the attacking players if we get caught out their role How have the other new players settled that down the ones have come in because I think you know, is it happening slowly or we get a little bit more integration down to the side I only say that because you know, I've watched the hard I tell last weekend and anyone who's looking from the inside out who's the inside inside who's outside in even who's trying to sort of Get a get to terms with what's happening on the team They might see something like Tony Duggan who was brought in has come back from Spain yet to register a goal How how she perform and as well as the other new players because I think people from the outside that said would have thought There would have been a an immediate impact maybe on the score sheet What you know, is she is she contributing to to the team's improvement going forward this season? Yeah, absolutely. I think you know with Tony Duggan obviously she's come back in after She made a name really ever in those years ago gone to be successful in Different countries different clubs winning lots of trophies and her coming back He gets people excited and sometimes I think people expect maybe that you know She's gonna start firing the goals in straight away But what we're seeing as well is with such a strong squad We're seeing players played in various different positions as well So you might get Tony playing through the middle you might see her on the wing We're seeing lots of different personnel in different games because we're getting used to what is the you know The best start in 11 because I don't think we're sure what that is at this moment in time Because we've got such strength in depth But for example, I think the prime example of what Tony Duggan is is good That is other than scoring goals, which she definitely will get to this tease and I've no doubt about that whatsoever But in the game against Birmingham is a crucial goal as well and her little one too With Hannah Benison and Hannah finished the the move with a wonderful strike Tony was showed a classy little moves like that, you know That one too and setting Hannah up and she works ever so hard, you know, even if she's not Coming up with the goals just yet. I think she had I was laughing with kenza and grace at the other day because kenza dali had Pretty much set up what would have been nail on you think Tony Duggan to score But grace took it on and kenza was giving her a bit of stick about that one So no, I think Tony Duggan, she might just be a little bit more slow getting off the mark But she's a class player world class player and I'm sure that the goals and the assists will start to come Yeah, as you said there Claire Emsley scored Everton's second goal after Anna Avagard and then Danielle Tainis scored the third goal with a lovely free kick just before Half time as well just to get that complete control Everton even had enough time to miss a penalty in the second half as well, didn't he which is You know, it's fairly that's that's on brand with everton universally, isn't you know, but um No, great a great win and back-to-back wins massively important after the after the difficult start we've seen Um, the confidence must be flowing in them now. No no and now they they're all showing what People thought they would show because as willy cake said every time I've seen him interviewed The pressure after that second defeat was huge going into the birmingham after buying so many players Um, is that does the pressure feel like it's it's coming off a little bit now with back-to-back victories Yeah, massively. I think you know, it was no secret that uh, the start of the season was was poor and one that everybody was bitterly Disappointed in no none more so than you know the staff and the players and I think that birmingham game was crucial It got to about 15 minutes left at one all and you start to think you know This is a must win Of course, we got that over the line and then you turned into breading and that was a must win So to to come away with the three points three goals a clean sheet, you know, the journey home was so much more enjoyable Everybody feels that little bit more relaxed enjoying themselves a bit more. I think um Still very much focused and determined because you know, the group of players are constantly saying that there's so much more to come from them You know still not performing anywhere like um at the best that that they can do so that in itself is an exciting thing I think to know that there's so much more to come from this team But getting them back to back winds is huge. You know, it's moved us up the table We've gone above manchester city now as well same same a number of games played and so I think if we can win those games against the teams that are You know, we used to finish in above and then we can yeah Something off the teams above us Then we're going in the right the right direction and obviously we've got an opportunity to do that this weekend With one of the one of the big boys in arson Yeah, yeah Yeah, we'll spoke about that in a minute But just just finally you mentioned mancity there that defeated again the season just seems so much more frustrating now After you've seen their run of form they were beating at the weekend to nil by west time at home and it It just seems if I don't know if it had been played at a slightly different time or the The the the formation was set or the players were with a bit more better than whatever That would have been a lot more even game and it's just so frustrating that Um, you know the women went down on the first game the season to to a mancity team who just seemed to be really out of sorts at the moment Oh, definitely. I think you know, when I look at the results Of the four, that's the one that really is the one that I can't seem to make peace with because Of like you said the the fact that city had depleted at the moment They're a they're a team that's struggling and in confidence. They've got so many injuries right now and you look at them and think It really would have been Expected as as I keep saying as well I did expect we'd get something from that game whether it be a win or a draw or so to come away Um with a four nil loss is is so frustrating Especially when you see how much that team's struggling and she said I think sometimes just first day First game of the season first round fits Kind of anything can happen and anything goes and as you said if maybe we were playing them last week instead of The first week of the season. Maybe it had been a different result But um, we just have to hope that we've learned from those lessons and we've got another go to To have a chance to get three points off them later in the season when we go to the away leg So hopefully by that point we're we're more bedded in and you know We can really give them a good go with a full strength side as well Definitely definitely Before we move on to Arsenal, let's hear from two of the school schoolers Anna Advocate and Danielle Tane Now Anna, I'm going to start with you. You opened your account for Everton today You opened the scoring here two minutes in a lovely finish from a tight angle You must be thrilled to get off the mark for Everton. Yeah, of course And I'm very happy that I could help the team and to score that early in the game It's important. So yeah, I'm very happy about it Absolutely and of course it must have been frustrating for you to miss out last week So how good was it to get back in the team and find that flow? Yeah, of course, it was hard last week when I missed the game So it was really nice to get back on the pitch and yeah, as I said helped help the team score some goals Absolutely, and hopefully the first of many goals in your Everton career now Dan I'm absolutely delighted for you Mae. She stepped up the very end of the first half deep into injury time Free kick quintessential Danielle Tane a free kick. How proud are you of to see that one flying into the back of the net? Yeah, obviously it's pleasing to go and I work a lot on it Especially the day before a game and there was a decent yesterday in training. I said to Tony I was confident I was going to score one. So pleasing to get that one But I'm actually more pleased with the clean sheet, I think Because obviously that's so important for us our first one of the season so important for us to go going forward And obviously it's tough place to come here at Redding. So to score three goals keep a clean sheet Away from homes really pleasing and I think the most exciting thing is there's so much more to come from us We still know we've got a lot of improvement to make so Yeah, pleasing day overall Absolutely, you just mentioned the clean sheet there. That's massive, isn't it? Obviously the first one of the season do the group feel much more confident knowing now We've got that we've got that under our belts. Yeah, definitely. It's massive You know as a not just as a defender, but as a team obviously you want to keep keep clean sheets if you want to be successful So yeah, I think for me the clean sheet is more important than the goal today for me Absolutely, how proud are you leading this team? You know, it was a tricky start to the season We know that two wins on the bounce getting full of that confidence now Yeah, definitely. I think we know we're just trying to get better each week We still know we've got improvements to make and this as I say, there's still so much more to come But it's about you know, just little improvements week in week out and that's all we can keep doing and obviously an improved performance today And hopefully, you know, we still got to make improvements Looking into Arsenal next week and we'll we'll work hard on the training pitch and make sure that we're fully prepared for that Definitely and you just mentioned there Arsenal next Anna You're looking forward to that one Would you like to to keep your tally going and then try and get a goal against Arsenal? You're of course a very very strong side in this league Yeah, of course I would like to score some goals, but most importantly is that we Well, it's will be a hard hard game Arsenal is a really good team And we have as Dan said, we had a few things we need to work on during this week So we'll go back now and then we have the week to work hard and hopefully we'll do a great game against Arsenal Right. So Arsenal Sunday, they are top of the league. They've won four out of four. They've just battered Aston Villa People are scoring chipped goals from 40 odd yards. Everything's going for them. They're absolutely flying How do you ever beat them? Come on Sarah. How are Everton women going to beat Arsenal women on Sunday? Oh, they are just I've got to say actually I've been a little bit surprised just how good Arsenal have been this season Sold a few key players over the summer, albeit they've brought in some as well, but they just look a different class A little bit something that could give us a bit of confidence Perhaps is the fact that they played in the Champions League this week to Barcelona and they lost 4-1 So hopefully it would have dented their confidence a little bit Barcelona are the the reigning champions in Europe, but a fantastic side But they've obviously had to play 90 minutes Would have been a tough game against really really top opponents and hopefully, you know Their confidence has taken a little bit of a knock as well. They've been used so used to winning It's how teams respond on the flip side They are going to look to respond and and really hit Everton But we certainly got the ability to go to Bournemouth and get something from the game But we're going to have to be absolutely at our very best and and kind of maybe hope that Arsenal Are feeling a little bit of fatigue as well from the Barcelona game Yeah, this definitely but to me this definitely strikes me as a game if like Everton have to do something in this game because they've been beaten by Manchester City You know by for they've been beaten by Chelsea by for This is a game where they have to turn up and they have to You know just get something out of it just dog something out of the game I'm listen, it's can really can they go there and get three points? I don't know maybe they can but I think what you have to show a little bit of themselves that maybe they've shown in the last couple of weeks Because I think what will happen is if you know you can say this about any team in the world By the way, this is not just ever women is People will just say all those two games. That's what you are But when you play the good sides, you're not capable of stepping up. So I think this is a huge fixture where Listen everything's on Arsenal to win it Everything everton can feel no pressure in this game And I and I hope that's how they they take it because if they look at it like We've got to get something out of this that might you know, that might put too much pressure on them But I just think for for people To look at them and say these can qualify for the champions league say I think they've got to go and try and grind something out and make it very very difficult And even if they go one, they'll be on don't just suddenly see the second and the third and the fourth a little bit Like we did against man city and and Chelsea so very important gaming out this to me forget about the first two games This is a big market. I think for the season to say yeah, we've got over those first two games We're in our stride now and we're capable of taking on the the big teams Yeah, I think that's absolutely spot on peds, you know We need to get a result against one of the teams, you know from the the so The the standard top three if you like we've obviously already lost in a big way to two of them So if we were to go to Arsenal as you rightly said now that we have come into a little bit of form We want to on the bounce things are gelling a little bit more if we can go there and even to get a point there I think would make people look at us and go. Oh, okay There is something in this team because otherwise people are just going to know us as the team that is You know unbeaten against every team that finishes below us but loses to the teams above us at some point we have to Convert those those losses into points or three points because as you said as well It's we go a goal behind we can hold our own often in these games It can be nil nil half an hour in yeah, it's in really You know not much in the game and we can seed one two three quickly and and that's the game Dead and buried then so we really need to show Um togetherness and and fighting desire in the game at Arsenal and and obviously play some Some good stuff as well because they are no mugs. They will Punish you like Chelsea Arsenal you give them a sniff and they will punish you So we've got to be at it. But if we get a result there, that's when I think people and including the team You know the team and the players themselves once they get that point or or three points against one of those teams Maybe that then will will help the belief come from themselves as well Yeah, absolutely. I think you're absolutely right on that. I think once once one of these results Um is is is got you know you get over that that hope of getting on these results I think's a lot lot will change in this team. Uh, just just finally just before we let you go Um, how's the team looking in terms of injuries and and everything else? Do you think do you think really care could be able to put out as best team this week? Because obviously that will be really important to put out as the best side you possibly can Absolutely. Um, well, it was good to see Valerie Govan get some minutes as well Towards the end of the game the other day. Uh, she's somebody that can be really really important to us going forward Once she's fully fit and ready. Um, we saw Natalie Bjorn Was missing but hopefully she should be back for the Arsenal game. She's already shown her class So far this season. I think we're actually looking pretty good for injuries at the moment Obviously other than the the really devastating one to to Niko Sorensen. Um having a higher back in the squad is Is fantastic to see so yeah, I think if we can have a good week in training and keep everybody fit Then uh, we've got every chance it'll be tough But we've got every chance of going to Bournemouth on sunday and and causing a little bit of an upset which Yeah, hopefully we can do Yeah, superb. Yeah, it's on a three o'clock on sunday. There's no premier league game So there's no reason why you should not be switching this game on and cheering on the everton women Big thank you to seara as ever for sharing all her wisdom and knowledge with us on the everton women's team We'll be back next week. Thanks for watching. See you later You