“We want that success, like they’ve had, but we don’t see that as pressure, we know what is expected of us and what it takes to deliver that. We just hope the season ahead is that time for us.”
Major changes were set in motion in January with the appointment of Rachel Harris as general manager and an “aggressive” transfer policy led to the likes of Ella Rutherford and Angela Addison from Championship side Charlton and goalkeeper Natalia Negri, who helped Crystal Palace win promotion to the top flight last term, arriving at the club.
They also agreed a dual registration deal with Arsenal for exciting 17-year-old striker Isabella Fisher and, as part of the upgrade of the team, there is now an extra training day each week.
“The recruitment strategy at the back end of last season and in the off season has been pivotal for us,” said Harris.
“Joe [Sheehan, women’s team manager] and I sat down fairly early after me coming into the role. We planned really early and targeted what we needed.
“The average age of our squad last season was 20 and when you’re trying to push to that next level, we just needed [to add] that experience. That’s what I feel we’ve done.”