u/Itchy-Dimension-Tab

We've had the same starting line-up for the last two WSL games, and it struck me just how young our team seems, given our reputation of being full of aging "galacticos".

Seems to me we have a pretty good range of ages - in our starting XI, there are 4 aged 21 or under, 4 aged 31 or over, and the rest spread out in between:

Lete - 24
Jana - 24
Isa - 21
Mapi - 31
Lucia - 20
Arques - 20
Geyoro - 29
Diani - 31
van de Donk - 35
Alexia - 32
Freya - 21

Subs:

Cascarino - 29
Anyomi - 26
Izzy - 23
Janni - 26
Maria - 24

I'm not liking this - whilst the price saving is welcome, it doesn't seem to give you the option of choosing your own seats. It's just auto-assigned, and they appear to be starting with block A in the Glyn Beverley.

On top of that, the bundle for the John Fiorini stand (where my season ticket is) is £62.50 for adults and £50 for a junior. Glyn Beverley is £18 plus £8 for juniors.

I'm guessing this must be some kind of hospitality ticket, but there is no info about it.

So not sure what to do - I simply want my season ticket seat for the games! Not sure whether to wait until the individual tickets go on sale as normal.

WSL:

London City vs Man Utd - 5402
Chelsea vs Aston Villa - 7900*
Brighton vs Arsenal - 4104
Tottenham vs West Ham - 1675
Charlton vs Liverpool - 2151
Crystal Palace vs Everton - 1274
Man City vs Birmingham - TBC

* Unofficial - from match report in The Guardian

WSL2:

Watford vs Burnley - 887
Durham vs Southampton - TBC
Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest - TBC
Newcastle vs Wolves - 1671
Sheffield Utd vs Leicester - 1049
Sunderland vs Bristol City - TBC

Paula Partido starting up front for Charlton against Liverpool.

Teyah Goldie starting as left-back for Crystal Palace against Everton.

Emily Orman starting in goal for Wolves away at Newcastle.

Sanni Franssi starting for Sunderland away at Bristol City

All 2pm kick-offs - all our loan players starting.

Good news - Lucia posted an update on Instagram earlier today

"Big scare yesterday, but luckily everything is okay. 🙏🏻

Very proud of the team and this well-deserved win. 🛠️

Thank you all for caring and for your messages. Now I just need to keep recovering, I’ll be back soon. ❤️"

Soccerdonna posted a rumour earlier today, and Tom Garry tweeted about 35 mins ago:

"Understand West Ham are set to sign the Japan legend Saki Kumagai tonight. Deal essentially agreed, according to Guardian sources. Just the final little bits to wrap up."

(Transfer window closes at 11pm BST tonight).

Tickets for both of our September away games are on sale to season-ticket holders now, and to the general public tomorrow at 10am BST.

West Ham tickets are standing only though (the Bury Road Stand) - we were allocated seats last season.

Hoping for a relatively high turnout from us.

Live at 8pm BST today (Wed 2nd September)

Just watched the Lyon goals again, and am not sure Earps had that bad of a game given that a) it was her first game for us, and b) it was against probably one of the top three teams in Europe this coming season.

I think it was only really the first goal that we could say Earps is to blame for, but Linari and Kennedy also contributed by losing the ball. Earps should probably have kicked it long (other players in the team seemed to be expecting that - e.g Lucia was waiting on the half-way line), but decided to twice play it short to Linari and Kennedy, who were then dispossessed by Lyon's press. She had the option of Mapi on the other side, but didn't take it.

After we lost the ball, both Mapi and Earps ran towards Weir, leaving an open goal for Weir to pass the ball into. Arguably another mistake by Earps, but again, something she will learn from - I'm sure Mapi will have a conversation with her!

For the second goal (direct from the corner), I don't think Earps was to blame - she was positioned in the centre of the goal, and the ball went over the crossbar and then dipped to go into the far corner. Earps jumped, reaching the crossbar, but not the ball. Just a great corner kick.

For the third goal, Linari gave the ball away causing a one-on-one with Dumornay. Perhaps Earps could have made it harder, but again, not many keepers would have stopped Dumornay in that situation, who sold a dummy to go round Earps and finish nicely.

Fourth goal looked to be a foul on Mapi, then Earps saved the first attempt, only for the ball to fall to Weir who crossed to Dumornay for a tap-in.

I'm a.big fan of Lete, and she had some good performances in pre-season, but she didn't face Dumornay and Weir, so I think it's hard to compare.

So I don't think I'll mind who starts on Friday - whilst the scoreline against Lyon wasn't flattering to Earps, it was only really her decision making in the first goal that I think we can criticise her for - with the main decision being that you don't pass to Linari or Kennedy when they are under pressure and you have Mapi standing next to you!