Episode 4 The Women's Football Show

Hello and welcome to the Women?s Football Show.

The WSL is back after a seven week break and we?ve

plenty of football to help you through the post-World Cup blues.

It's tense at the top, can leaders Birmingham take the strain?

Faye White runs the rule over England hot shot Jess Clarke.

We meet the Welsh defender who hopes to be

And we'll round up all the action from the WSL.

I am very pleased to say I am joined by the Player of the Year leucine

bronze as well as Julian Dicks, in charge of the West Ham United ladies

team. We will hear from them and a bit later.

Few tipped Birmingham City for a shot at the title, but having

already defied the odds to reach the last four of the

Champions League the Blues have got another prize in

The surprise package of 2014 Birmingham have so far silenced the

critics that tipped them for a season of struggle. They sit top of

the WSL at halfway through the season and no one better

encapsulates their determination and spirit than Jade Moore. No pain, no

gain. It is match day and you are here hours before anyone else, what

are you doing here? I am working, luckily I get to work at this

wonderful stadium. I have opened a business and this is where I am

today. It is a sports and injury clinic run by myself and the physio

at blooms. Be honest, when she usually does this, does it work and

does it hurt? It does work but it really hurts. Whenever I come for a

mass I prepare myself. I'm thinking what have you done to me? But then

the next day I feel much better. What has been the secret to your

success? A lot of the things about us is togetherness, we have a really

good team spirit this season and I keep saying we are like a family. We

do things together. Our ex-captain Rachel Williams were the big

characters in the squad and off the pitch we have missed their

characters but Dave has managed to bring other players and we are doing

well as a squad so I cannot really say we have missed them at all! We

have great team spirit and camaraderie and we have always been

renowned for that. We knew the quality we had on the quality of our

youngsters and those that have been coming through have been consistent.

We have five in the World Cup and five in the European Championships

we have always crowded ourselves on the youth development. You have just

been short listed for the England squad again after quite a few years

which must be nice. Yes, it is about seven years, it is nice to get some

recognition and I want to play well for Birmingham and I enjoy playing

for Birmingham and I think it shows on the pitch. A busy week for

Birmingham began with a defeat to Bristol in the cup but back at

Solihull and a repeat fixture saw Birmingham go ahead with a touch of

MAG project. Emily Westwood made it 2-0. Bristol managed to claw one

back through an own goal but the Birmingham Bond came good again. The

first of two back-to-back league victories that keeps them top at the

halfway stage. It was a hard fight today. About 95 minutes was the

longest 90 minutes I have played in my life to be honest with you. I am

not surprised that Jade Moore is cream crackers, she had already done

a day 's work before she got to the game but maybe that is a reflection

of how things are. They are part-time and they have to work as

well. They are at the top of the table, how impressive is that? That

is really impressive from a team that are not full-time. They are

very together as a team and I think that pulls them through. They have

it against them with the money and that the other teams have and maybe

they feel they have to prove a point a bit to stick together and pull

through. We are halfway through the league season and there are still

tough Games at the end of the season. You won last season with

Liverpool. How difficult is it mentally? It is a mental challenge,

isn't it? Once you gain your momentum you are fine which is what

they have at the minute but if you start to let a few sloppy goals in

or you draw a few Games then that is when you worry yourself, especially

in the position they are in, they have the games in their hands. They

are at the top and if they drop points it is their fault that they

have lost it. They have Remi Allen and Jo Potter and Karen Carney and

also Jade Moore, is that really what is driving them at the top?

Definitely their midfield is one of the best in the league. They have

got everything. Jo Potter's technical ability is second to none,

her left foot is outstanding. Jade Moore has a bit of everything and

Remi Allen tops it all off with hard work and enthusiasm, all three of

them together, you cannot really knock what they have got. Karen

Carney going into tackle for them has a bit of flair and talented she

is not a bad player. She is not bad, is she? You used to play for the

men's team for Birmingham City, do you want to see them do well? Of

course I do. All the teams I played for I want to see them do well. Now

you are West Ham ladies, how did that come about? The captain put it

on twitter and I've retweeted it and it went from there. I had a chat

with the chairman and he offered me the job and that was about six weeks

ago. What are your early impressions? They are a good bunch

of girls. They work hard and the pre-season has just started. I have

just got to make them a bit more aggressive. If they need that, they

have got the right manager! You have the name, but do you have anything

else from the men's club? Not really. In the last few years they

have not read back to them but we had a meeting last week and

hopefully they will take us on board. We are not asking for the

world but we would like kit and training kit and things like that so

hopefully they will come through. Your players have two pay for their

own kit and they had to pay to play? Yes, they do not pay subs but

fee upfront for their kit and if you want to go to away Games you have to

pay for the coach so hopefully West Ham will come on board and help us

out. If Karen Brady is watching, you would like and a bit more support!

Of course. We could always deal with more support. Let us hope she is

watching. Birmingham is Karen Brady's old club and they could soon

face even more competition. The FA announced plans to strengthen the

WSL to 20 teams with clubs from the Premier League to be considered for

promotion. We created the women's super second division and we now

want to expand and go to 20 teams across both divisions. The women's

Premier League has a north and south division and they have a play-off

for the overall division that will be offered a place in the WSL2. We

will not be relegating out because if you came out you would have so

many months of not playing football that you expect the club would

probably fold so I -- so it gives us a chance to sit down with those

clubs in the Premier League over the next couple of years and try to find

a comp system playing seen so we unite the periods longer term in

terms of relegation and promotion. We have merged together the four

combination leads into one strong and sustainable meat. Those

ambitious clubs going out no that if they win the league they will have

the chance to go into the WSL which has to be good for the super league

because good clubs going through is really important for the top of the

game, healthy for the top of the game. There is a step towards

uniting the winter and summer leagues. How important is that for

you as a player? I think it is really important and really

important for the young girls especially do are coming through. It

is a big jump to ask them to go from centre of excellence football to the

full ladies football when you are playing with England internationals

but the more teams you get together and you have a little link and a

bond it makes it easier for people to try and reach their goal and

their potential through football and climb the leagues as they do in the

men's. If you were to get some extra funding which would be nice from

your point of view, in theory you could get promoted from the Premier

division, the salmon -- Southern Premier division that you are in at

the moment, into Division 2. Is that good for you? I think it is good for

the players to have the perspective that they can get promoted as well

as relegated as well. It works both ways but as a player if you can win

the league you want to have a chance to go up. Who are the clubs in your

division that you think are doing well this season? I know you are

very new to it and have only been a few weeks. Coventry have done very

well. I am just into it and I do not really know a lot of the teams in

the league and I do not know a lot of the girls in the league so every

day is a new learning curve for me. How are you learning? Who are you

talking to? I just talk to the girls. I talk to Ray and I have had

a lot of help from different people. Every day is a new learning curve

for me. How are you learning? Who are you talking to? I just talk to

the girls. I talk to Ray and I have had a lot of help from different

people. Everyday is a learning curve for me but I am sure the girls will

put me straight. You have conversations with them about the

opposition in the league and Women's Football Show Ahold? Yes. They have

played in that league last year and they know some of the girls and they

know the good players and the not so good players. They know the teams

that are structurally very good and sound defensively and so I do talk

to them. You have been coaching girl that in America as well, how did you

find the standard? The standard was very good. Technically for me in

America the girls were better than the boys, partly because they

listen. When you talk to the girls you can see them listening but the

boys have an attention span of seconds and if you speak to them

they'd speak over you and stuff like that so technically the girls were

better than the boys. That is interesting because in this country

traditionally football is a men's sport and there maybe a prejudice

against women playing football but in the United States they do not

have the history of men playing the girls -- playing the game and

technically the girls were superior. For me they were and I coached all

sorts of different age groups and for every age group there were boys

who were technically very good but the girls ages were just as good and

I enjoyed myself out there. Good luck to you with the West Ham

ladies. Attendances this year for the WSL are up from last year. That

could be to do with an increasing quality in the pitch. Judge

yourselves. Here are all the goals from the past week.

yourselves. Here are all the goals With one win from their previous

four matches Liverpool return to action with a much-needed win over

Everton. Kate Longhurst won the read speed one - zero victory. The

reigning champions were in action three days later. Jeremy Davidson

opened the scoring against Bristol Academy. Further goals showed that

the side are not ready to give up their title without a site -- fight.

This solo effort was the only consolation for the

This solo effort was the only consolation for vixens who had a

player sent off later on. Chelsea and Arsenal only had three wins

between them but most were buoyed with their recent good form. They

went in front and the Blues extended their lead. The Gunners were given a

lifeline in the form of a second-half penalty and Kelly Smith

reduced matters with a night of the season. It was not enough to prevent

another league defeat for the Gunners. After a slow start to life

in the WSL Manchester City seem to be finding their feet. Notts County

went to the sword as they made it seven wins. Later they went to

Chelsea to extend their good form. Natasha Flint followed up her solo

effort against Notts County with an even better goal to give city a

first half lead. Chelsea hit back. Katie Chapman's diving header pulled

them level and the Blues got a dramatic win at the death. That

keeps them second in the WSL table. Without a win this season Everton

went into their match with Arsenal in desperately need of points. It

was an ominous start as Danielle Carter put Arsenal ahead. At the

stroke of half-time Nikita Parris found herself with acres of space to

equalise. A handball in the box gave Everton a golden opportunity but

Michelle Hinnigan's spot kick was saved. The home team's misery was

compounded with a tap in at 84 minutes and Everton remain winners.

We promised you some decent goals. She had a bit of luck but she has

looked whether keeper is and chipped it back from 30 yards. Two victories

for your side, Liverpool, Lucy. Dreadful injury problems. Getting

the players back, is that the catalyst? Definitely. Catrin

scored. We do not say her surname! She has been a big player last year.

She went unnoticed but having her injured was a big blow. And some of

the girls on the bench injured. It has been a struggle but to get

everyone back now has showed form. Are you counting ourselves out of

the title race, five points off, seven to go? No chance at all! We

have to win the games and hopefully Birmingham drop a few points on the

way to give us a helping hand. We are not out of it. A couple of teams

may be saying the same things. Chelsea are not out of it.

Birmingham, pressure on. Chelsea are looking good. They have signed very

good players. Many foreign players but real quality. Are they

contenders? I thought Chelsea would be a contender before the start of

the season. Emma Hayes is a good manager bringing players together.

If Chelsea can stay consistent with their performances there is no

reason why they cannot go on and beat any team on the day. For them,

consistency is the key. They have the talent and the players. Not

looking good for Everton, still looking for their first win in the

league. It is hard to say any team but you would see Everton are

favourites to go down. The quality of the teams that everyone has to

play now is hard to call. They have to grind out results and the

mid-table teams might take their foot off the pedal and Everton could

take over anyone really. Arsenal we have not mentioned but they won

yesterday doing well will stop the new manager situation, John Bear

isn't in the frame, not in the frame but they will be interviewing this

week and they say they are not in a huge hurry because John Bear is

doing quite well off the bottom. Breaking news, Notts County have

been fined by the FA for failing to fulfil a fixture, their Meadow Lane

ground wasn't available last month against Bristol Academy. They fell

to get a suitable alternative venue. Bristol were awarded the three

points pending appeal. It up season for Notts County. They lost Ellen

White for the campaign with knee injuries, Jess Clarke has been a

more than able deputy. Faye White went to assess her in the new role.

After a couple of years interrupted by injury, Jess Clarke looks to be

back to her best. Notts County with 12 goals are so many and a recall.

Let's see how she gets on against Birmingham today. Birmingham like to

sit deep and show defensive shape so it might limit the space if Jess

Clarke plays. We will see what she comes up with to counter that.

Notts County had a good attempt. Jess showed her speed and a great

tackle by the defender. She is sharing pace with a great quality

cross. Birmingham take the lead, 1-0. Jess

really needs to up her game now. Good skills but not convinced by her

form. Good skill! That is typical Jess, working hard, getting onto a

loose ball, good bits of skill, good ball into the box but no good

support. A typical day for Jess, did not get the service she needs to

break down the Birmingham defence but positively she looks comfortable

as a striker and is an asset for Notts County and England.

This is how the table looks. Birmingham City out on top. And

Chelsea in behind them. Liverpool in third and Everton at the bottom.

This is the table pending any appeal by Notts County. There were no WSL

two matches but what a fixture coming up on Saturday, Doncaster

Council and and go head-to-head at the Keepmoat Stadium. 6:30pm on

Saturday. It will be a belter. More bad news for Notts County, they have

lost that defender Sophie Bradley, she has injured her knee ligaments.

She will be out for the rest of the season. The World Cup is next year

so it is a worry for Sophie. We wish her all of the best. They have not

had much luck. It is a real shame for Sophie, she is a good player and

a lovely girl. She is someone you think, you are gutted for her.

Hopefully she can get back together and come back flying next year. Jess

Clarke hoping to be picked, he told her she did not score enough goals

and then she has been moved up front and scored 12 and 13. That is always

part of her game, she has moved on and I think people say she has

heavily relied on at Notts County but that is the way the team play.

They allow her the freedom to roam around and get on the ball and does

what she wants. She is scoring a handful of goals. She will hope to

make the cut for the England game, the friendly against Sweden in the

north-east. Quite a hotbed of football talent. Yes, a few of us

have come through the ranks at Sunderland, me, and others. They are

up there playing now but there is a youth coming through at the minute.

The girls are that have gripped in them from up north, a bit of fire

and the girls really work hard to get themselves where they are. Good

for Jordan Nobbs to be playing at her home ground, her dad played for

Hartlepool. Confirmation that the England friendly will be played at

the Victoria Park. On Sunday, August three, kick-off at 2pm. Also live on

and BBC live. One player who will not be in the

Wales team is Lauren Price having won 15 senior caps, the defender is

taking a break to pursue a long-time ambition. I am here

taking a break to pursue a long-time ambition. I am at the National

Centre to meet an incredible young woman. Four-time kick boxing world

champion in hedges, she has captained the Welsh and in hedges,

she has captained the Welsh under 19 football with the senior side.

Lauren Price is hanging up her boots and donning boxing gloves as she

goes for gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Four-time world champion, six time European Championship kick boxing,

silver medal at the British tae kwon do, bronze at the world boxing,

bronze other Europeans in boxing and altogether I have 54 caps for Wales.

Boxing is where it is at, a successful football career with

Cardiff City and the national side has been put on hold. I can go back

to football. It isn't the end of the journey. It did not sound like

sleepless nights and agonising. No. You cannot do it all. Especially at

the level she was playing. If I do well in Glasgow, boxing is for me.

It is her first big tournament at home so it is a lot of pressure. I

think she can handle it. And it boils down to the draw. If she gets

a nice draw, I can see Lauren doing very well. I would love to come away

with gold. Hopefully I will come away with a medal. We think we have

found a diamond in Lauren. It is intensive, the crossover. Nikita

Paris place for Everton and Katie Taylor won Olympic gold. Do you

think there was a strong connection between the two sports? Yes, I would

not be as strong and fast feet. That has a lot to do with it. You get the

first tackle, the same in the ring, you hit someone with a shot as hard

as you can and they will think, she can hit. Katie Taylor is a big

inspiration for me. She is as high as you can get in women's boxing.

She is class. I would love to be as good as her one day. Do you think

winning the Commonwealth gold would be a great -- greater feeling than

the first Welsh cap? To win a Commonwealth gold medal on top

dashboard top everything. And it all kicks off on Wednesday. The

Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony is at 8pm on BBC1. Lauren Price gets

under way a week tomorrow. We wish at the very best of luck. If you

would like to follow in her footsteps, head over to the website

to get inspired and find the details of your nearest club, boxing,

football or anything else. Perhaps golf. That was your second career,

Julian. Was it difficult to take up football? No, football was always

for me. I took up golf because I had to have something to do after I

damaged my knee. I was 22. When I did my knee, I played golf and that

was it. The more I practised, the better I got. That was it. Not a bad

footballer, Player of the Year but was it a decision for you? Another

sport? My mum was not a big fan of football when I was little but she

is my biggest fan now. She urged me towards tennis, a white dress and

skirt but I wasn't having any of it! Is in a football kit every week.

She gave up in the end. Imagine Julian are showing up in a white

skirt. I can't imagine. The Women's Football Show returns at seven

o'clock on BBC Three. Hopefully you will join us for that. Thank you to

Julien Come Grade II have you in the studio and Lucy as well. Birmingham

City in pole position. Goodbye for now. -- Julian in the studio.