Everton Ladies assistant manager Chris Roberts reckons attack could be the best form of defence when the Blue Girls take on high-flying Manchester City on Wednesday.
The Toffees’ north west rivals sit at the summit of the Women’s Super League table, two points ahead of second-placed Arsenal.
Only the Gunners (50) have scored more than City’s 42 goals in the league this season, while no-one betters their 10 goals conceded.
But Everton are steadily improving under the guidance of Willie Kirk and Roberts and the latter says they will “take the game” to City where possible.
“We have to play to our strengths,” he said. “We have a lot of good defensive players but also some exciting ball players as well. For me, sometimes attack is the best form of defence.
“If we can be on the front foot and play as much of the game in City’s half as we can, then that is something we will be looking to try and affect.
"Of course, we know how good a side they are, and City’s record this season speaks for itself. Domestically, they are unbeaten and they have an incredible selection of attacking players.
“We are still on a journey as a team. Willie and I are constantly trying to affect things as a group and the players have been exceptional in terms of taking things on board and buying into our ideas.
“But, most importantly, they have taken ownership and you can see the progression that we have made. Since we have come in, the players have been improving all the time, and we have got some talented individuals. It is a case of working hard on the training pitches and in game after game to get things right and put points on the board.
“We have to aim to take points from this game because otherwise that is just not who we are as a team and as a squad. We approach every game looking to win it.”
Everton will not be at full strength for the trip along the M62, with a number of injury worries affecting Kirk’s team selection.
Olivia Chance is still working her way back to full fitness, while Elise Hughes was stretchered off in the Toffees’ last outing against Chelsea in the FA Women’s Cup.
“We do have a few injuries,” added Roberts. “But that opens up opportunities for others.
"We have a competitive squad and Willie and I find ourselves with a selection headache each week where we are leaving players out who are absolutely good enough to start. But that is where we want to be in terms of the level of competition within the group.
“That competition makes it exciting to be here and makes it exciting to come in for training. When we have injuries, it is a chance for those players who are good enough to play to come in and try to take a place in the side.
“Of course it is never ideal to have injuries but hopefully they recover quickly and the competition for places only increases and we can push to end the season positively.”
Everton FC
