Inside track on Leicester | Zoe Mcgrady | OneFootball

We return to Barclays Women’s Super League action for the first time in the new year with Leicester City the visitors to Brisbane Road on Sunday (12.30pm UK).

Following a difficult first half of the season, picking up just one victory in nine games, the Foxes managed to hold current league leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw just before the festive break, lifting them to 11th in the table.

Ahead of this weekend’s encounter in the capital, we had a chat with Zoe Mcgrady to get a lowdown on Amandine Miquel’s side…

How would you reflect on Leicester City’s first half of the season?

Zoe: “It has been a tough start to the season for Leicester. They have been incredibly unlucky with injuries, losing several key players, including the new forward they signed in the summer - Noemie Mouchon - to an ACL injury and also last season's top goalscorer Jutta Rantala.

“Them two, along with an array of other injuries to attacking players, has meant they haven't yet been able to get going and have ultimately really struggled to score goals and pick up points. However, when we have been able to see glimpses of Amandine’s style of play, it provides a lot of hope and excitement for when they have a full squad back. Certainly one positive is the way she has transformed the defence, which has been a huge asset to them this season coming up against the top teams.”

Who have been the standout players so far in this campaign?

Zoe: “I would say the whole of the defence. All of the defensive players have played a huge part in having one of the best defences in the league so far this season.

“If I had to pick out one, it would have to be Sophie Howard who has been so solid in the backline and such a commanding voice in the tough points of this season. She makes things difficult for every team she faces and is consistent in doing that.

“A special mention to Sari Kees as well though, who only joined in the summer but already looks incredibly comfortable in the WSL.”

How has Amandine Miquel fared at the Club so far?

Zoe: “Like I mentioned before, she has really struggled with injuries and she has been very open in how she has found that difficult. She is an attacking-minded manager, which we saw from her time in France, so not being able to work on that attacking play has been tough for her.

“You have to credit the work she has done with the defence though, she has adapted to the position she found herself in and certainly thrived amongst the chaos. She is a likeable and funny character who can appeal to the fans, if they stick with her through the tough times it could grow to become something quite special.”

What are the ambitions for Leicester City for the second half of the campaign?

Zoe: “The goal is to stay in the WSL. That is the main priority for Amandine Miquel. They will hope they can do, knowing that they will gradually start to get some of those attacking players back from injury.

“I think ideally the fans would like them to have a good FA Cup run off the back of getting to the semi-finals last season, but you wouldn't want that to come at the expense of their position in the league table.”