Episode 6 The Women's Football Show

Since its inception in 2011, each WSL1 title race has gone

down to the wire and it?s looking like the conclusion to season 4 will

From pretenders to contenders, how Emma Hayes has transformed Chelsea.

We say hola to new Arsenal boss Pedro Martinez Losa.

And after an eventful week for Scotland, we voted yes to

Both tonight?s guests know what it?s like to get their hands on the WSL1

England and Man City captain Steph Houghton was twice

Matt Beard helped break the Gunners' stranglehold last season

and could still get his hands on it again this year.

Having finished second from bottom last season,

not too many expected Chelsea to be title contenders this time around

but, like their male counterparts, the Blues have a special manager at

How would you describe yourself as a coach? Innovative, creative and

driven. She has helped guide Chelsea to the top of FA WSL. She is the

only woman managing in the league. Does she feel any pressure? I was

the only girl in America, so it is not unusual for me. I think

sometimes too much attention is paid to it. It is not easy per female

coaches, but you have to make it happen. Women coaches are way down

in numbers? There are a couple in the leagues below. And that is what

is needed, strong players who have come through, good pedigrees who are

willing to take the risk. We need that to happen for more female

coaches. I am grateful I have had good people to learn from. Do you

have much contact with Jose Mourinho? We talk football, Beattock

players, but the quality of female players coming through. He has a

very keen interest in this whole football club. I don't think he gets

out credit sometimes. He is very keen to see Chelsea evolve from top

to bottom. Emma Hayes entry you would a difficult start to Chelsea

with just three league wins in the first season. For us, it is about

preparation for next season. That prophecy has come to fruition this

year with Chelsea emerging as contenders are the WSL1 title.

Bringing a lot of winners into the club this year has made a big

impact, especially on all young players. We have got the spine of

the team right. We all wanted and it is up to players like myself. We

have to have the belief that we are good enough to do it. I am learning

my career. We have got top English players in here. I think she has got

the balance spot on. You have got the older players and youngsters

coming through, foreign players and British players. It is a good blend.

The South Korean international has taken it! I worked in America for

ten years he American players got better as a result of the influx of

foreign players. English talent is thriving as a result of, if nothing

else, picking up other habits. They can have all the fantastic work

ethic. Does it frustrate you when people say that because of the

investment because of the facilities, you should have been

winning things sooner? We have the fifth biggest budget in the league

so as far as I am concerned, we are overachieving. The perception is you

have spent lots of money. I think Chelsea have done it the right way,

they have built to last, they are not just throwing money at player

investments. A lot of the staff is part-time. To finish above the

fifth, it means that it has been a worthwhile investment. Are you going

to win the league? My chairman told me at the weekend that we are

mathematically safe from relegation, I was pleased to hear that. I don't

think she feels the pressure. If she does, she does not show it. I enjoy

watching them grow as the team, I enjoy their style of play, wherever

we finish this year, it will be a massive success for us. Chelsea's

title bid was dented at Notts County. The blues fell behind after

45 minutes. But after the break, Chelsea came out of finding. Notts

County were lucky to hold onto their lead.

Chelsea knew a win would consolidate their position at the top of the

table but still could not find the breakthrough. They were reduced to

shooting from distance as the clock ran down. The Lady Pies held on to

boost their hopes of survival and blew the title race one open.

Just when we think one team is going to win this league, they go and lose

unexpectedly. Do they think -- do you think anybody really wants

unexpectedly. Do they think -- do win it? It doesn't look like it. But

it is very exciting. Your former club has

it is very exciting. Your former season. Last year, the lost ten of

their 11 league matches. Why the improvement? As Emma Hayes said, she

has brought in some great players. And the Korean girl has been a

revelation. Yes, she is so young, but what quality. The leaders that

we are hearing about, ready-made winners just like you at Arsenal. Is

that winning mentality one of the key things? Yes, it brings something

different to your side. That has proved the point with Chelsea this

year who were not as good last year, but with the new players

coming in, it adds more experience and they are definitely all winners

on and off the pitch. I be the best team in this league? We'll see at

the end of the season. -- are they? They are tough opposition. But saw

Liverpool and Birmingham. It will be exciting towards the end of the

season. Uber nodding away when Emma Hayes was talking about the

professionalism of foreign players. Is that the reason why you brought

in foreign players as well? When I came to the club, Arsenal had been

dominating for years and Birmingham tried it with just domestic players,

you could not overtake them. We looked at who we could bring in and

we had a good balance of English players and foreign players. They do

bring a different mentality to the table. My domestic players have

benefited from that greatly. I think the whole standard has improved

because of that. Emma Hayes was seeing about Chelsea having the

fifth highest budget, how do managers know that? You'll have ask,

I don't know. People said we had a big budget last year. I just

concentrate on Liverpool. Thank you. Talking of Josie Marine or, she said

she talks with him about football. Brendon Leonard -- Jose Mourinho.

Brendan Rogers is your manager. There is a 1 club mentality. We can

sit down and talk, I can bring him up, I have spoken to him about

different formations, looking at different systems. Brendan took the

time to sit down with me and go through certain things. That support

network, it definitely helps. Birmingham and Liverpool were both

hoping to capitalise on Chelsea?s surprise defeat to Notts County

and as it happens they went head to Knowing a win over their opponents

would send them second in the table, Liverpool took the lead from Amanda

Da Costa. Birmingham equalised from Hannah Keryakoplis. Then

controversy. No research vessel from the referee and Fara Williams

audacious strike was allowed to set band -- allowed to stand. There was

no whistle in terms of the kick-off. But there are no complaints about

that, it was a moment of brilliance from Fara Williams.

Manchester City heaped more misery on them. Manchester City ended

fifth, and Everton are facing, certain relegation.

Going back to that controversial moment in the Birmingham Liverpool

match, the referee admitted that he made a mistake. The law states that

the referee must give a signal, he does not have too blown his whistle.

The authorities say that the referee did not give any sort of signal and

so did have the power to do is allow the goal and restart the game. That

is where the error was made. You would've gone absolutely ballistic?

It was a tough game yesterday. I felt we deserved the three points

over the course of the 90 minutes. It is controversial. But there are

no complaints. And I would agree with him. In terms on the pitch, and

in the tunnel afterwards, was any kerfuffle about it? No, I didn't see

anything to be honest with you. It was such a big game yesterday with

Chelsea dropping points against Notts County. It was back in

Birmingham's hands. We can see that there was a lot of nervousness

there. For us, it was a good performance. And the goal was

fantastic, worthy of winning any game. A fantastic finish. You are

just one point of the game, -- one point of the top, how confident are

you? We have a tough game against Arsenal next. That is not easy. We

also have two Champions League games. I have been vocal about

players being called up to the under 21 World Cup. I think really are

sitting in the table, it is a massive achievement and all credit

to my players first or being involved in it.

At Manchester City, you will have quite a say in this title race. Your

last two matches are at home to Birmingham and Chelsea, how do you

see it coming out? It is hard to say. You want to compete in every

game. Our focus is on trying to win as many games from now to the end of

the season. We have a cup final to prepare for, we will try to gain

some confidence and form because the league has been a little bit stop

start this season. We want a good run of games and to get everybody

fit and ready for the final. How would you assess the start you have

made in the WSL compared to what you started at the start? If you had

said we would be competing in a cup final and finishing in the top five,

I think we would have snapped your hand off. We had a tough start to

the finish. The manager has us organised very well. We have made

great strides over the last few games. We want to compete in every

game and win every game. And now you're all full-time. We

have made sure of the programme is that the girls are in from Tuesday

to Friday, and on the ball as much as possible. That has made a huge

difference. Whoever wins WSL1 title can be sure

that Arsenal will be hungry to reclaim the trophy next season under

the guidance of new manager Pedro Martinez Losa.

Faye White investigates. This season may be coming to an end

but it is time for a new beginning at Arsenal. I'm here to meet Pedro

Martinez Losa. What kind of team can we expect under your management? I

want to see an aggressive team who are willing to win and showed their

opponents the message that they want to win every game. I think it is a

beautiful game for Arsenal and for me as my first game. A great pitch.

So we have just kicked off. Last time Arsenal played Bristol they

were in a different formation. Now they're back in a more familiar

formation. they're back in a more familiar

really need a response from the team now. So an early change for Arsenal.

Kelly Smith comes on for Casey Stoney. Arsenal need to get closer

in midfield to their opposite number.

That is a complete transformation from the first half.

Arsenal are completely different team in the second half. There are

Russian and intensity in the play, it is what Pedro said he wanted from

the start of the game. So there you have it, a complete

transformation in the second half. A change in attitude more than the

tactics and a lot to take from that game. A great turn around, what did

you say to them? I said an early goal would help us and also Kelly

Smith joining made a difference. She is a standout player. Who else

impressed you smack Danielle Carter was doing really well, finding

space. And we combined really well. -- who else impressed you? ? We wish

you well for the rest of the season. Pedro of course spent much of his

career in Spain. What did they got the key issues him? -- what do you

think are the key issues for him. Well they have world-class players

in the likes of Kelly Smith and up-and-coming players. I think

Arsenal just need to get more consistency. It has been an

up-and-down season with a lot of players leaving. Now they have a new

manager so exciting times ahead. It is a new era. Arsenal used to having

things their own way over the years. For the neutrals it is now far more

interesting with more teams competing at the top. What do you

think Pedro will have as his remit? Well he has the opportunity between

now and the end of the season to assess the players. There are some

world-class players in that team. I think they need a bit of stability

now. To get a good run together and prepare now for next year. It is

strange to talk about Arsenal and stability because they have been so

stable. Pedro, you played against his side in the Champions League a

few years ago. What Kite of the game do you think we can expect? -- type.

When we played them they wanted to move and to pass. I think Arsenal

are pretty much that kind of side anyway. So it is just fine tuning

them into the best attacking force in the country. Just to have a look

at the table now. Arsenal currently fourth. Everton still without a win

and right at the bottom of the table. They will be relegated on

Saturday if they fail to beat Notts County.

So the Toffees stuck to the bottom of WSL1, England finished

top of their World Cup Qualifying group with a perfect record after

Thursday's mauling of Montenegro. 10-Lil on the day. -- nil. We were

disappointed with that goal. We wanted to get as many clean sheets

as we could. But the most important thing is to qualify. It is my to get

the confidence going in the lead up to the World Cup. -- it is nice.

Confirmation then of England's progression

as group winners with 100% record. Wales miss out

on a play-off spot after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the Ukraine.

We'll find out who England face when the draw for the World Cup is

made on 6th December. Next up for the lionesses, Wembley

Stadium on Sunday the 23rd of November. Well some of us were lucky

enough to be at Wembley to see death score in the Olympics. All the girls

are excited to go to play at Wembley Stadium. It is what you dream of, to

play for your country. We hope to have as many fans as possible. It is

going to be a good test for us. The England captain calling for everyone

to go out and buy tickets! We know England's place at the

World Cup is secured. Scotland though must negotiate

the play-offs and hoping to guide them through will be Kim Little.

After winning her 100th cap last week the young Scot sat down with

Sue Smith to reflect on what has been an incredible journey so far.

For a youngster of just 24 football has taken Kim Little all over the

world. She scored a hat-trick on her debut for Hibernian aged 16. And the

form continued at Arsenal. She was Player of the Year in 2013. What did

that mean to you? To be there on the night of the awards was a victory

itself. And to win was very special. I'm proud of that. You left Arsenal

shortly afterwards. And then you moved stateside to Seattle. She was

the top scorer after just one season. Do you enjoy where the game

takes you? It has given me so many opportunities in life. Not just

professionally, it has given me the chance to travel from a young age.

And for me that has been the best for my personality and character. I

would recommend that to anyone to travel. How is life on the West

Coast? It is a pretty relaxed way of living. Seattle is on the water. You

won a lot of trophies at Arsenal and then moved on to Seattle. How much

impact has Laura had on your career? I think I fitted in to the

way that she wanted the game to be played. I was glad that she offered

me the chance to go to Seattle. There was no doubt and no correct.

-- no regrets. Kim Little also likes to make waves

and is a driving force for Scotland and the designs on making the first

international tournament. You feel you were unlucky not to go through

automatically? Sweden are a fantastic side. We are happy with

our position. We have a good chance. It could be the first major

tournament for Scotland. Is that an incentive? It is a huge incentive.

We missed out in the Europe play-offs. So we are going into

play-offs again but we have experience in these past few

campaigns so I think we're ready for this now. It seems it is her

instinct to look ahead and see what the future might hold. So what is

next for the free spirited midfielder? Have you had any offers

or approaches? I decided not to go to Australia or Europe but to focus

on Scotland and get ready for these play-offs.

As Group 4 runners up Scotland now face the play-offs where four teams

will battle it out for the final place at the World Cup.

Tomorrow's draw will pair them with one of the seeded teams,

Italy or the Netherlands. The winners

of a two legged tie will progress to another two legged play-off final.

Ukraine are the other side involved. And if like Kim you want to follow

your dreams and start playing football then head

over to bbc.co.uk/getinspired to find all the details

of your nearest club. Scotland, what do you think their

chances are of getting to Canada? Anything can happen and they have

proved in the group stages that they can compete with the best. It would

be great if they could get there. We are all admirers from afar but

someone of her talent, how important is it to play on those kind of

stages? I think it is so important. Kim is such a talented player and

deserves to play in such a big tournament. She was happy with the

play-offs and confident that Scotland can go through. They have

improved a fair bit. They have some good players. When Kim was at

Arsenal, she was a fantastic player. I wish them all the best.

Well that's about it from us this week.

We're back on Monday 6th October with all the drama

We're back on Monday 6th October the penultimate weekend of the WSL.

So it's a still a three horse race for the WSL1 title and with just two

games remaining it's looking like a photo finish may be required.

Bye for now.