As Manchester City Women’s Football Club takes one on the Women’s Super League (WSL) title next season, they aren’t daunted. Last campaign was difficult and they ended up 17 points adrift of the title winners, Chelsea. After a disappointing 2022 season, the club has undergone a serious overhaul, including the hiring of Andree Jeglertz as head coach. Yet the team plans to harness its young roster. Having the youngest average age in the league at an impressive 25 years and 313 days, they are primed to go for gold.
In 2021-22, competitors Manchester City only used 27 different players last season, the second fewest in the league. Continuous injuries crushed the team and left important starters out. With the weight of too many injuries on their shoulders, they could hardly find a healthy senior XI come March. Bunny Shaw was the brightest star even on a dark day. She finished her season with 12 goals, pretty damn remarkable over just 892 minutes in league play. She notched an outstanding goal ratio of one every 74 minutes. This was the highest return of any forward across Spain, France, and Germany’s big five domestic leagues.
Shaw’s recent performance on the pitch was a true display of power. She even shared joint top scorer with partner in crime Alessia Russo – emphasising her generational talent. Despite her individual success, Shaw reflected on the team’s overall struggles, stating, “We left games last season knowing results slipped through our fingers. We suffered from injuries but I’m not one to make excuses. We weren’t good enough.”
Like his compatriot, Jeglertz has arrived as a progressive coach, and brought his renowned attacking philosophy with him. This marks a significant strategic turn for Manchester City. He takes over from Gareth Taylor who, in most respects, preached a more patient build-up and more ball possession ideology. Under Jeglertz, the team will look to take a more straightforward approach to scoring. This kind of strategy is a perfect match for Shaw’s aspirations for next season.
“Andre wants us to win and will give freedom, whatever that looks like, and I think attacking players flourish that way,” said Shaw.
The dangerous offensive upside of the team’s attack is finished off by Lauren Hemp’s insane crossing skill. Shaw expressed confidence in their chemistry, noting, “I can close my eyes and know where Hempo is going to cross the ball. That is something we have built. I call her my assister.”
And in turn, there’s more penetrating chances created across the board. Last season, Manchester City led the league with a league-high 15 cross-assisted goals. The blend of Shaw’s finishing prowess and Hemp’s crossing ability could be a foundation key for their attacking strategy to build on going forward.
Even with all the catastrophes that struck last season, Shaw stressed that what they needed was consistency and a sharp focus on the little things that make the game great. It’s a question of consistency, that’s what the lack has been. If we have to deal with some tough conversations, then by all means let’s deal with them,” she said.
Shaw’s drive to always get better is apparent to anyone who watches her train or play. She said, “It’s the small things that people don’t realize it’s those that make the difference. Beyond scoring, it’s the off ball movement, the timing of runs, the pressing, forcing defenders into mistakes. It’s all important. Just when I get good at one thing, I’m on to the next. I always want to be better.”
In reflecting on the previous season’s humbling experience, Shaw asserted the team’s commitment to success. “Last year was humbling. We are 100 percent serious about what we want. Ain’t no playing now.”
As Manchester City prepares for the new season under Jeglertz’s leadership, they aim to attack the league with renewed vigor. Shaw thinks they can be “deadly” and “unstoppable” if they get it right on the pitch. To this day, he is adamant about sweating the small stuff that their then-new mentor had shown them.
“If we can get it right on the pitch, we can be deadly; we can be unstoppable if we focus on the fine details the manager wants. For sure, you are going to see goals,” she concluded.
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