Column: We are in a good place

It was a fantastic win for us against Manchester City in our last game and vital for us to get back to winning ways after the defeat at Chelsea. It's what champions do, bounce back, and that's exactly what we did. We defended really well and restricted City, for the majority of the game, to efforts from long distances which was especially pleasing. Our second half performance was fantastic and with each game that we are playing we are getting better and better. Our new signings are settling in and I'm pleased where we are as a group at the moment, mentally and also with regards to the performances on the pitch. Not only that but the desire and intensity of our play is finally starting to improve and gel which can only stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.

It was fantastic to see Line Smorsgard get the winner against City which was her first goal for us. For any front player to get your first goal is important and Line is getting better with each game. It takes time for any new player to come in and gel and she is getting better playing alongside Natasha Dowie. You've got to give the front three time to get used to one another's game and with Asisat Oshoala finding her feet as well it does take time but we are now looking settled and creating a lot of chances.

I must single out Natasha because the work she puts in for this team is second to none. The runs she makes and some of the unselfish work for the team has created chances for other players. If you look at Line's winning goal against City it was Natasha who kept the ball alive for us before Asisat made the cross. There's been lots of phases of play this year where she has been involved in the goals. I'm really pleased with Natasha. Her attitude has been fantastic this year and fitness wise she is in the best condition I've ever seen her. On and off the pitch she is a model professional and I'm really proud of her. I know she hasn't scored as many goals so far this season but she has been a big part of what we have achieved and I know the goals will come. 

We head to Meadow Lane on Sunday to face a Notts County side ahead of us in the league but we have a game in hand on them. We are looking forward to it. Notts County are in good form having just reached the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley and their manager Rick Passmore deserves a lot of credit for that. I've been really impressed with Rachel Williams this year who has been fantastic for County. I've seen a lot of their games, it's certainly going to be an interesting game because they are a good side with players who can win football matches.

At the moment mentally and physically our group is in a great place and it will be a great test for us. If we can get the three points on Sunday then we will go into the break in a very healthy position. Defensively we have been really good this year and we are starting to cut out the individual errors. If we stick to our game plan then we have a great chance of getting a positive result. With the Women's World Cup starting on June 6 this will be our final game before we resume the Super League with a trip to Arsenal on July 12.

I will give the players some time off after May 13 and then the group will be back in towards the end of the month. Our last game saw Katrin Omarsdottir return from injury and we have Lucy Staniforth getting her sharpness back after missing a whole season. We also have Nicole Rolser getting sharper by the day so the break has probably come at a good time for us. We've had a tough start in regards to the fixtures we have had against teams fancied to be up there come the end of the season. Hopefully we can go into the mid-season break on the back of a good result against Notts County on Sunday. 

Thanks for your support as always,

Matt