‘What we are here for is to win’ – Manchester City ready for trophy challenges says Taylor | OneFootball

Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor says that his side are ready for the challenges that await them in the second half of the season.

The Cityzens are still in the hunt for four trophies. Manchester City are currently second in the Barclays Women’s Super League while they are in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the Subway League Cup. The club have also advanced to the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

When speaking in a Manchester City press conference, head coach Taylor said that he knows how hard it is to compete for trophies but his side are ready for the challenge.

“It’s what we want to do, what we are here for is to win,” Taylor said. “We know how difficult that is to achieve because there are many other teams that want to do that as well.

“The competition levels are high, the [cup] draws have been difficult for us; particularly in the League Cup; it’s a difficult tie for us and a difficult route but that can happen. To win any competition, you have to do that.

“It’s a good challenge in the second half of the season having all of the competitions alive for us. We are really looking forward to taking on that challenge and of course, getting some of the players back [from injury] by the time some of those competitions come around, we will be in a much better place.”

Manchester City return to Barclays Women’s Super League action after the winter break when they take on Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium this evening. Having already played at the main stadium this season, Taylor believes that his side are familiar with the surroundings.

He said “It does feel a little bit different [leading up to an Etihad derby]. It’s a good game for us because if we are going to play at the Etihad, we wanted to do it more often. Three games this season is progress compared to the one we had last year and one the year before, so it’s a good thing.

“The Tottenham game was a nice one for us. If this game had come first, we maybe lose a little bit of the home advantage but having had the Spurs game, it’ll be a really good game for us to get that feel back.

“We really enjoy playing at The Joie Stadium for sure. We’ve created a really good environment there but playing at the Etihad just allows us to reach a bigger audience.

“We don’t feel like we need to train there before a game now and the dressing rooms don’t feel abnormal like they did previously. We are pretty comfortable with it.”

Opponents Manchester United arrive at the Etihad Stadium having conceded just three goals in the Barclays Women’s Super League so far this season. Taylor highlighted the key role that goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has played in their defensive success.

He said “My initial thought is that their goalkeeper has been very good. Of course, you don’t want your goalkeeper to be busy but she’s done a lot of good work for them.

“You’ve got to give credit to the whole team. You never want to be someone who singles out too many individuals but I think their goalkeeper has been good in that sense. Certainly without her, some of those games could have been different.”

Manchester City’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Manchester United kicks-off at 6.45pm. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.