As he issues a warning to Leicester City, Brian Sorensen refers to Everton as having “intensity.
The Blues will hope to bounce back from their opening day defeat when they return to WSL action against Leicester City this weekend
Everton boss Brian Sorensen has called for more intensity from his players ahead of their clash with Leicester City in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
The Blues made a disappointing return to top flight action last weekend, losing 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion at Walton Hall Park. An Elisabeth Terland double inside the first 14 minutes left Everton with a mountain to climb and, despite halving the deficit through Megan Finnigan after the break, the hosts emerged from the contest empty-handed.
“We need to start better that’s for sure,” Sorensen said in his pre-Leicester press conference. “We need to be ready and put in intensity. When we compared our physical numbers in the first 15 minutes to our pre-season games, it was 15% under that.
“We need to get going, playing with movement and intensity because when we got into that we were by far the better team. That’s what I mean with fire, we need to have intent with what we do and keep going so that’s definitely the plan for Sunday.”
While last weekend’s display was not quite the emphatic WSL return Sorensen was hoping for, the Dane is confident his side can bounce back against the Foxes. Everton also tasted defeat on the opening day last season – losing 1-0 to West Ham – before going on to enjoy an impressive campaign. And Sorensen believes his side can replicate that feat this term.
“We’ve tried to focus on the positive this week,” he said. “We created some good chances and got back into the game after a tough start. (Brighton) only had one shot on goal in the second half.
“It’s just frustrating that we started like that and then we were not able to get back into it and at least get a point. But it is how it is. We’ve really been looking forward this week and focusing on Leicester. We tried it last year after the first game and then we went on a good run so its the plan to do the same again.
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If Everton are to pick up three points against the Foxes, they will have to do so without the services of striker Katja Snoeijs and Danish duo Karen and Sara Holmgaard, who are all unavailable for Sunday’s trip to the King Power Stadium. Leicester- managed by former Everton boss Willie Kirk – finished 10th in the WSL last season but, after an impressive opening day win over Bristol City, they will likely pose a stern test for the Blues in the East Midlands.
“We played them in pre-season and also one time last season when (Kirk) was in charge,” Sorensen said. “We know what to expect from Leicester and that’s what we’ve been preparing for this week. He’s a great coach and he’s done well to recruit and make sure that they avoided relegation last season.
“They’ve had a good start so they’ll be buzzing and we try to go there and get them a bit more down again.”
