:00:38. > :00:43.Good evening and welcome to The Women's Football Show. The new
:00:44. > :00:46.season is almost upon us, there have been plenty of changes since last
:00:47. > :00:50.year, and we've a lot to discuss over the next half hour.
:00:51. > :00:56.England's Lionesses usher in a new era under Mark Sampson. After
:00:57. > :01:03.multiple takes, can Scotland qualify for their first major tournament?
:01:04. > :01:09.WSL newcomers Manchester City lay their cards on the table.
:01:10. > :01:15.And the Royals of Reading welcome a new queen.
:01:16. > :01:19.And we have a couple of half-decent guests to start off our new series.
:01:20. > :01:22.England and Liverpool striker and WSL Player of the Year Natasha
:01:23. > :01:27.Dowie, alongside the new England gaffer, Mark Sampson. Welcome to
:01:28. > :01:30.both of you. Under Mark's stewardship, England
:01:31. > :01:32.resume their World Cup qualifying campaign against Montenegro on
:01:33. > :01:40.Saturday. Let's remind ourselves of the story so far.
:01:41. > :01:50.England on their way home after just three group games. Sacked as the
:01:51. > :01:57.manager of England's women's football team. I have to respect
:01:58. > :02:04.that. It's the start of a new era for this crowd. I feel really
:02:05. > :02:11.privileged to be given the chance. A hat-trick! What a first half she has
:02:12. > :02:15.had! On a hat-trick! And she absolutely buried that! Here's
:02:16. > :02:21.Natasha Dowie. This time she is in and this time she scores! And
:02:22. > :02:29.England have eight! Touch off the Scot. She took that so well! England
:02:30. > :02:35.top the group. He's done all he can! Who gets the job is up to the powers
:02:36. > :02:39.that be. It's one of those things where we all have to fasten our seat
:02:40. > :02:44.belts because it's going to be a really exciting journey for all of
:02:45. > :02:48.us. It's a very positive environment. Mark has a lot of
:02:49. > :02:52.positive energy, a lot of new ideas, and the players are really keen to
:02:53. > :02:55.buy into it. We are very hard to break down defensively. I think he
:02:56. > :03:07.has a more attacking focus. It's an unbelievable feeling just
:03:08. > :03:11.representing England again and I get a bit choked up with the national
:03:12. > :03:19.anthem because we were singing so loud. It's just an amazing feeling.
:03:20. > :03:26.Another fantastic tournament. I think we only conceded two goals in
:03:27. > :03:30.four games. What Mark is trying to do, the girls have taken that on
:03:31. > :03:35.board. The mentality changes definitely showing on the pitch and
:03:36. > :03:37.off the pitch. And the first of those qualifiers
:03:38. > :03:48.comes against Montenegro on Saturday.
:03:49. > :03:53.England top of the group there. Not a bad position to be picking up with
:03:54. > :04:02.a national side, is it? Sitting pretty like that! That's right. It's
:04:03. > :04:05.a good group. Credit to him for putting us in such a position but
:04:06. > :04:09.hopefully we will get three more points on Saturday. Your players
:04:10. > :04:13.were saying very nice things to us and I promise you, it wasn't with a
:04:14. > :04:22.view to knowing you in the studio and sitting with us. But what is the
:04:23. > :04:25.enthusiastic mentality about? We have a few ideas we want to
:04:26. > :04:28.implement. We have looked at that through the tournament, playing
:04:29. > :04:31.Cyprus. We have encouraged the players to be themselves and we have
:04:32. > :04:34.a lot of new people that we are impressed with their character and
:04:35. > :04:38.they are willing to work hard and listen and we also have many
:04:39. > :04:41.talented players so if we can mix and match that correctly it will
:04:42. > :04:44.give us the chance and the opportunity. And that is the
:04:45. > :04:49.challenge, to make sure when the players cross the white line they
:04:50. > :04:53.are in the best possible place. How are you finding being a national
:04:54. > :04:57.manager from a personal point of view? It's really good fun. I've got
:04:58. > :05:04.to say that. Enjoyable already. Hard work. Selecting players and making
:05:05. > :05:07.sure all the details are rightfully each camp is important. It's early
:05:08. > :05:11.days as well and because of that it is important we get the right
:05:12. > :05:14.message across. We want consistency from all the staff and understand
:05:15. > :05:18.where we want to go and we want the players to be excited about where we
:05:19. > :05:22.want to take them on this journey. It's a long road and lots of ups and
:05:23. > :05:27.downs along the way. But the transfer the players now is to
:05:28. > :05:32.embrace that and go for it. -- but the chance for the players. A chance
:05:33. > :05:36.to reinvent ourselves and be a positive team. It looks like you
:05:37. > :05:41.were all enjoying yourselves on the pitch, reaching the final and then
:05:42. > :05:48.losing to France. But a new regime for you on the beach. It's been
:05:49. > :05:54.great. Mark, Lee and Marianne, they've worked well together and
:05:55. > :05:58.brought in new ideas. We've had a few different threats, social
:05:59. > :06:04.threats, disciplinary wraps, and bringing in cups of tea. --
:06:05. > :06:08.different representatives, social representatives. You may be staying
:06:09. > :06:13.your room sometimes and don't mingle with everyone so new ideas to sit
:06:14. > :06:16.with everyone and sitting on the bus with the other players as well. But
:06:17. > :06:24.it not when the final but to get to a final is great for our first
:06:25. > :06:29.tournament. -- gutted not to win. What can we expect on Saturday with
:06:30. > :06:33.England and Montenegro? It is important we get three points but it
:06:34. > :06:37.is about progress at this stage. Like the girls in Cyprus. With every
:06:38. > :06:41.performance we want to lay down a marker, a bit further than the
:06:42. > :06:45.previous one, and so far, so good with that. I think we've showed that
:06:46. > :06:50.game on game. Come the final whistle, we honoured -- in a
:06:51. > :06:53.position where we can look back and feel we have improved? Based on the
:06:54. > :06:58.players so far, I am sure we can do that. It will be a challenge but the
:06:59. > :07:04.players are ready for that. One issue up in the is the England
:07:05. > :07:09.captaincy. You able to give us and exclusive? Will you stay with Katie
:07:10. > :07:12.Stone? We are reviewing that process in terms of who will be captain
:07:13. > :07:16.moving forward but we have to realise it is a very important
:07:17. > :07:19.decision. A great honour to be England captain, so whichever player
:07:20. > :07:26.sees that honour hopefully will enjoy it and embrace it. But we'll
:07:27. > :07:30.make a decision this week and the captain will be a captain for a long
:07:31. > :07:38.time, hopefully. We will find out by the weekend anyway. You can find out
:07:39. > :07:45.how they do this Saturday from 12:55pm. That is on BBC Two.
:07:46. > :07:48.In just over a fortnight, Tash's Liverpool begin the defence of their
:07:49. > :07:52.WSL title against Manchester City. Kat Downes has been to visit a City
:07:53. > :07:55.side preparing for their maiden season in the top flight.
:07:56. > :07:57.It promises to be an exciting season for a new team on the block,
:07:58. > :08:01.Manchester City, taken under the wing of the men's team and the
:08:02. > :08:06.ladies can now boast a new stadium, a new coach and a host of big new
:08:07. > :08:13.signings. City are hoping they will be holding the trump cards in the
:08:14. > :08:17.race for the title. This is a straight game of top
:08:18. > :08:22.Trumps. You know the rules. I don't want any dirty tricks, all right?
:08:23. > :08:35.You ready? Let's play WSL top Trumps! International goal support.
:08:36. > :08:39.I've only got 13! What has it been like with the new setup? I've just
:08:40. > :08:44.will enjoy training every day and being within this setup. -- I've
:08:45. > :08:47.really enjoyed. It's something I've wanted to do ever since I was
:08:48. > :08:54.younger and never really been given that opportunity. The support for
:08:55. > :08:58.Manchester city... I don't know, I don't think I could have said no.
:08:59. > :09:01.The vision they have for the club. Also to be captain of the club was
:09:02. > :09:16.something obviously I was honoured to do. International caps, 99. It
:09:17. > :09:23.was me as well! 46! I think there's a massive pull in
:09:24. > :09:28.terms of names but also the players that we've got. The likes of Jill,
:09:29. > :09:34.she's one the best box to box midfielders in the country. And a
:09:35. > :09:42.starting position in the England squad. The girls that are here as
:09:43. > :09:46.well, I came in, not surprised, but the standard of the players is not
:09:47. > :09:49.that much different. Obviously a lot of emphasis on the players that have
:09:50. > :10:05.been signed but it's about the whole squad. This is a golden card, this!
:10:06. > :10:12.Titles won, one. Ah! None! Having played top Trumps, who you -- who
:10:13. > :10:16.will you be keeping an eye on? I think Liverpool have done anywhere
:10:17. > :10:22.with the signing of Gemma Davison. We just can't get nearer. They have
:10:23. > :10:26.good players all over the pitch but at the same time I believe we have
:10:27. > :10:35.players all over the pitch, too, so sometimes it just comes down to the
:10:36. > :10:41.day. Last card. International caps? 19. 103. I'm not happy about that. I
:10:42. > :10:46.think there was some cheating going on! I think it'll not just be us
:10:47. > :10:50.wanting to beat Liverpool. It will be the whole Super League. There are
:10:51. > :10:56.definitely ambitious players and we do want to win things eventually.
:10:57. > :10:57.So, fascinating season ahead. Manchester City face Liverpool in
:10:58. > :11:05.their opening fixture. Everton have lost more key players.
:11:06. > :11:08.They are away at Birmingam. Chelsea will look to start strongly after
:11:09. > :11:13.winning just one of their final 11 league games last season. They're at
:11:14. > :11:16.Bristol. And Notts County, formally Lincoln Ladies, now reincarnated as
:11:17. > :11:23.a full-time set-up at Meadow Lane, face Arsenal.
:11:24. > :11:28.And that game will be the first of at least 16 live commentaries
:11:29. > :11:29.throughout the season on 5Live Sports Extra on Wednesday 16th
:11:30. > :11:40.April, kick-off at 7.30pm. Interesting that they said
:11:41. > :11:43.eventually. Do they really think not this season? Because I recall
:11:44. > :11:48.Liverpool people were saying eventually and look what they did.
:11:49. > :11:52.They won it. I think if you are a player you want to win everything.
:11:53. > :11:57.So if you ask her she's busy going to say yes. And Matt were saying the
:11:58. > :12:00.same. He wanted to be a mid-table team but we'll sat down before the
:12:01. > :12:04.season and said, we want to win everything, the WSL, the Cup games,
:12:05. > :12:09.and as a player, if you don't want to win, you are playing the wrong
:12:10. > :12:14.sport. You got to have that winning mentality. So, no, I think they'll
:12:15. > :12:20.wanting to be go in and making their mark. Yes, training full-time as
:12:21. > :12:25.well. Do you see City as your main rivals? To be honest, I think the
:12:26. > :12:28.league's going to be really tough. City have a really good set up
:12:29. > :12:32.there, obviously, so the players training full-time will obviously
:12:33. > :12:36.help that but the likes of Chelsea, Notts County. I think everyone's
:12:37. > :12:40.going to be tough and I'm getting excited to play City first game on
:12:41. > :12:45.TV as well. It's obviously a great occasion and hopefully we can get
:12:46. > :12:51.three points that game. You've lost a few players with injury. And
:12:52. > :12:58.Lucy, for example. But you have brought in Gemma Davison. How do you
:12:59. > :13:01.stand? Gemma Davison as well, coming in, she is the quickest player in
:13:02. > :13:06.the league and she can run quicker with the ball than people without a
:13:07. > :13:11.ball. And I'm dead ex eight -- excited and I hope she can assist me
:13:12. > :13:16.a lot this season. Odyssey to lose Nicole is a massive loss but we have
:13:17. > :13:22.other players who can step up now. Honestly we are champions and want
:13:23. > :13:29.to defend our title . -- obviously to lose. So we will see what players
:13:30. > :13:32.we have on the pitch. You and Bristol did amazingly well, taking
:13:33. > :13:40.the title race to the final day there at Liverpool. The new manager,
:13:41. > :13:44.what you think of him for Bristol? Every game is going to be
:13:45. > :13:48.competitive. As she said, it's going to be an interesting season. I think
:13:49. > :13:52.Bristol will be fine. A very competitive team this year. There's
:13:53. > :13:56.no reason why they can be a -- there at the end of the season. They've
:13:57. > :14:00.obviously made a good decision appointing Dave as manager. You
:14:01. > :14:03.couldn't say it was a terrible disease, could you!
:14:04. > :14:06.What of the other WSL contenders? Arsenal and Birmingham had the small
:14:07. > :14:09.matter of a Champions League quarterfinal yesterday, which gave
:14:10. > :14:12.us the perfect platform to launch former England and Arsenal captain
:14:13. > :14:21.Faye White into her new scouting role for The Women's Football Show.
:14:22. > :14:25.The Blues have arrived in London with a slender lead and both teams
:14:26. > :14:29.made a number of changes over the season. Today is an ideal
:14:30. > :14:42.opportunity to look at both before the new season. Birmingham six
:14:43. > :14:55.badly, pressurising midfield. And they have the first of. -- started
:14:56. > :15:05.brightly. Birmingham six just gone up and Arsenal need three goals. She
:15:06. > :15:19.is not getting any service behind the defenders so Arsenal need the
:15:20. > :15:23.player midfield. They are pressing harder and their quality on the
:15:24. > :15:26.field is better than Arsenal. Arsenal have not shown any real
:15:27. > :15:42.quality in retaining the ball. Birmingham lead 2-2. -- 2-2 is zero.
:15:43. > :15:46.-- 2-0. The centre half is stepping into midfield more.
:15:47. > :15:59.Birmingham have defended magnificently at the moment. 2-20
:16:00. > :16:05.winners today, they looked very impressive midfield. Overall, it
:16:06. > :16:10.will take time for Arsenal to gel. Certainly that centre half pairing.
:16:11. > :16:15.Birmingham could be a surprise package and they will take points
:16:16. > :16:17.from other teams during the season. Congratulations to Birmingham, who
:16:18. > :16:22.now face Swedish side Tyreso, who include five-time World Player of
:16:23. > :16:27.the Year, Marta, in their ranks. They are hoping to play the home leg
:16:28. > :16:36.at St Andrews but we'll know more in the next few days.
:16:37. > :16:42.What did you make of Birmingham? They had a plan and they stuck to it
:16:43. > :16:48.and the players really worked hard within that. To be honest, their
:16:49. > :16:53.mentality was fantastic, they showed a lot of bravery and they took the
:16:54. > :17:00.game to Arsenal. I was impressed. Young, English players, fantastic to
:17:01. > :17:06.see. Will this affect Arsenal? They have come up against a very good
:17:07. > :17:10.team, they had really worked out how to stop Arsenal playing and punish
:17:11. > :17:13.them on the counterattack. Framingham were clinical over both
:17:14. > :17:18.legs but Arsenal have brought some new players to the club and you can
:17:19. > :17:24.see the way they are trying to play, different type of identity. That
:17:25. > :17:30.always takes time, but they have brought in some quality, World Cup
:17:31. > :17:35.winners, international players. It will take time to gel together. It
:17:36. > :17:40.isn't working they do the same. They want to start the new campaign well.
:17:41. > :17:43.We sell records from players afterwards, they wanted to prove
:17:44. > :17:49.people wrong. They certainly have done that! Birmingham are a great
:17:50. > :17:53.team and Arsenal have obviously dominated women's football for years
:17:54. > :17:57.but added that what was of the games. Birmingham science Ashgrove
:17:58. > :18:03.Birmingham have some great players and Arsenal also have some real
:18:04. > :18:08.talent. For Birmingham, it is good they have won both games and they
:18:09. > :18:15.have stands the mark and people will not underestimate them. Fascinating,
:18:16. > :18:19.looking to the new season. Before the WSL returns, both England and
:18:20. > :18:22.Scotland play qualifiers live on the BBC and one player who relishes
:18:23. > :18:41.performing in front of the cameras is Scottish captain, Gemma Fay.
:18:42. > :18:52.Gemma Fay, take one. Rubenesque is a pilot I did for sky living. It is
:18:53. > :18:58.about a female referee whose ambition is to be the first in the
:18:59. > :19:02.Premier League. But there is a contentious decision and she is
:19:03. > :19:05.suspended and what happens next is a series of events that leads her to
:19:06. > :19:11.becoming a model, which is quite a journey from tomboy referee. It was
:19:12. > :19:17.great fun to do, I absolutely loved it. Did you not have acting
:19:18. > :19:25.experience before? None whatsoever. My mother was a trained actress and
:19:26. > :19:31.we advised the kids not to go down that road but it is in your blood. I
:19:32. > :19:37.have been playing football since I was three years old! I know the game
:19:38. > :19:41.as well as anybody. As an athlete, you put on a performance and get the
:19:42. > :19:45.right mindset and you have to take on a certain persona to deliver
:19:46. > :19:51.that. I guess it is the same thing for acting. Tech three. We have
:19:52. > :19:56.always had talented players in Scotland, we always have, we have
:19:57. > :20:01.never had enough depth of talented players and we're starting to get
:20:02. > :20:08.that. In terms of the fitness levels, they are becoming greater
:20:09. > :20:13.and greater. In the morning sessions that is conditioning and strength
:20:14. > :20:19.work. We do that through the Scottish Institute, which has tested
:20:20. > :20:24.us to the max. In Cyprus we could see that paying off. All those early
:20:25. > :20:30.mornings were worth it. The performance against France is the
:20:31. > :20:33.best we have played. And one of the best performances we have ever put
:20:34. > :20:39.in. It was unfortunate with the goal that we lost but to back that up
:20:40. > :20:44.with victories over Holland and Australia, it shows that continuity
:20:45. > :20:55.and ability to perform every time at the top level. First, the focus is
:20:56. > :21:00.on the march. We won in the first leg but it will be difficult. They
:21:01. > :21:04.are a good team with dangerous players and they are well organised.
:21:05. > :21:09.Bosnia, we will have to up our game to get a result there. From the
:21:10. > :21:16.squad point of view, there was determination in there and it is
:21:17. > :21:22.phenomenal. Firstly, I would like to see myself as Gemma Fay, captain of
:21:23. > :21:27.the first Scottish women's team that goes to a World Cup final. I am
:21:28. > :21:31.privileged to have been given that armband and they know how many
:21:32. > :21:39.people would love that opportunity. How did feel to be captain, making
:21:40. > :21:43.it to the World Cup? Is giving me tingle is giving me tingles already!
:21:44. > :21:54.It would be one of the most special moments in my life. This is a grip.
:21:55. > :22:07.Sweden had a game in hand. -- this is the group. Only the group winners
:22:08. > :22:11.will go through automatically. Their highest ever world ranking and extra
:22:12. > :22:17.funding so some players can train more often. Is this the first ever
:22:18. > :22:21.chance to qualify? They have Sweden, which will be tough. But there is no
:22:22. > :22:25.reason why they cannot be competitive at both games. We saw
:22:26. > :22:32.that with Cyprus, they played very well. They were very unfortunate to
:22:33. > :22:35.not qualify. They had a late French goal to deny them that opportunity
:22:36. > :22:40.but they have added a lot of good work with the Academy and some of
:22:41. > :22:45.the work the players are going and it means a lot to them, Gemma Fay
:22:46. > :22:48.describing it as one of the most special moments of her life, going
:22:49. > :22:53.to the World Cup. It shows the Passion. They have a great chance
:22:54. > :22:59.and if they can win this week, going into that Sweden game, why not?
:23:00. > :23:02.Agonisingly close to qualifying for Europe. And you'll be able to see
:23:03. > :23:07.Scotland's home qualifier against Poland live on BBC Alba this
:23:08. > :23:10.Saturday evening from 5.30pm. In England the WSL continues to grow
:23:11. > :23:14.this year, literally, with the introduction of a second tier, and
:23:15. > :23:22.our very own Donny Belle Sue Smith has been out and about to size up
:23:23. > :23:26.the opposition. 2014 and mournful lament with the women's game. Ten
:23:27. > :23:33.teams competing for one single promotion spot in the new WSL two.
:23:34. > :23:44.My team, Doncaster Belles, will push hard to get back into WSL one. But
:23:45. > :23:52.it will not be easy. In October, I fully expect to be there. Jayne
:23:53. > :23:56.Ludlow, one of the most decorated players, has been drafted in as
:23:57. > :24:02.coach. I did not even think about it, it was a fantastic opportunity
:24:03. > :24:06.that came at the right time. She is joined by her old Arsenal colleague.
:24:07. > :24:15.She has exploited her connections, Nicky Davies has arrived from my
:24:16. > :24:18.club and Helen Ward from Chelsea. They have taken on board everything
:24:19. > :24:22.I have asked and have worked extremely hard. They have done it,
:24:23. > :24:30.they want to achieve something and develop. Things are more
:24:31. > :24:35.professional, the way we do things has higher intensity and the fitness
:24:36. > :24:38.levels have massively increased. There have been new signings which
:24:39. > :24:47.has made a stronger so we're very happy. Helen Ward, fantastic, I hear
:24:48. > :24:55.that she might be pregnant? Did you tell her of? My first reaction was I
:24:56. > :25:01.was ecstatic. On a personal level, that is a great thing and I wish
:25:02. > :25:07.them well. As a player, I would love -- love to have this year. But I
:25:08. > :25:14.will not but hopefully next year. What tactics will you play? What
:25:15. > :25:22.sort of formation? Any tips? Six, five, four, two. How many is that!
:25:23. > :25:30.Watch out for the goalkeeper. She is all right! You are not giving
:25:31. > :25:39.anything away? Can you get promoted? The big question. Honestly, that is
:25:40. > :25:45.not something I think about, because there are some established teams.
:25:46. > :25:48.Doncaster... Sunderland, they have a great group of players and have
:25:49. > :25:54.suffered any years but there are teams like ourselves, young and
:25:55. > :25:59.hungry but for me, it is exciting. If we can play to the standard we
:26:00. > :26:03.have been training at, we have every chance of being in the top two or
:26:04. > :26:08.three. We are in a very strong charge. And the goals feel that way
:26:09. > :26:16.also. We have been pre-season for eight months. We cannot wait for it
:26:17. > :26:20.to start. Eight months! That is surely long enough to get excited
:26:21. > :26:26.about the start of the new season. Confirmation that Reading start off
:26:27. > :26:29.at the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday the 16th of April against Yeovil.
:26:30. > :26:33.And we'll be reflecting on the big kick-off in WSL one and two when we
:26:34. > :26:43.return on Monday 21st April at 7:00pm here on BBC Three. And you
:26:44. > :26:52.can keep in touch. We've had a lot of tweets for tonight's guests.
:26:53. > :26:55.Holly Allen asks: Natasha, what's it like being involved with England
:26:56. > :27:00.again? And who is your England roomie? It is a dream to play for
:27:01. > :27:04.your country. I feel like I have a fresh start to prove what I can do
:27:05. > :27:10.on the international stage and I'm Billy enjoying it. Fara Williams is
:27:11. > :27:13.my roommate, she talks a lot so I do not get much sleep. But she is
:27:14. > :27:20.great, we have cups of tea and we chill out. I cannot complain. I bet
:27:21. > :27:24.she reckons you talk a lot, also! Tom Sutherland has one for Mark: Do
:27:25. > :27:28.you think the reorganistation of the WSL will have a positive impact on
:27:29. > :27:31.the national team in the long-term?' You can keep in touch with us
:27:32. > :27:37.throughout the season via #BBCWFS. With any competition, it adds that
:27:38. > :27:42.intensity. There will be lots of teams from WSL2, who fancied their
:27:43. > :27:46.chances. We need to win matches to make sure we stay in this division.
:27:47. > :27:50.In terms of the long-term structure, it is a step that has to be taken
:27:51. > :27:55.and we will see more excitement based on that change. For England,
:27:56. > :27:58.it will certainly be positive because they play in a pressurised
:27:59. > :28:01.environment regularly. That's all from us this week, best of luck to
:28:02. > :28:05.England, see you in Brighton on Saturday. And good luck to all of
:28:06. > :28:06.the home nations involved in World Cup qualifiers this weekend. Bye for
:28:07. > :28:15.now.