FA Cup shootout drama and an Asian Cup preview – Women’s Football Weekly

16:25Faye Carruthers:Oh, well, firstly, they'll take an enormous pride, Faye, because it was a run where they won five matches and beat two sides from the higher leagues to get through. So this was their fourth away tie that they'd had a draw for. and it was always a bit of a mismatch, wasn't it? Keith Boana said that it was a bit like him racing against Usain Bolt, which I thought was a lovely way of trying to analyse it, particularly when you think that he's a 66-year-old man awaiting a knee treatment on an injury. But it did illustrate the difference quite well because Birmingham, obviously, with the full-time training and the fitness and the athleticism and the speed and the power, that was the big difference, I think, that both sides noticed on the pitch was the pace and just the full-time training that that helps give you.

17:08Faye Carruthers:But nonetheless, Chatham did well to hold them really for an hour to 1-0. The first hour of the game was still quite competitive and they will take a lot of satisfaction from that. And their goalkeeper in particular, Simone Elegant, who's a Trinidad and Tobago international and has now flown out to international duty off the back of that fixture, was outstanding. She made probably really at least four, if not five, goal-saving saves that really were going in without an excellent goalkeeper and stopped it being double figures. And I think she picked up a lot of credit. And as for what they'll take from the run more generally, well, they've got£127 ,000 in prize money, which people and I felt could probably sustain them for the next couple of years.

17:51Faye Carruthers:One of the players, Ellie Jeffkin, said, you know, it pays for our season. It repays the chairman a little bit. And I think for a club whose players only earn expenses to play, they don't have a football salary. and everyone's putting in all the extra time and coming in after the day job and working, training in the evenings. I think that's a really special achievement to go all the way to the last 16. And Amy Merrick said that she thought they were ready for promotion. They're up against some tough sides in that fourth tier. Fulham are in there, for example, who I would expect to come up. And then next year, you'll probably have Brentford in their league as well, potentially, which would also make it quite difficult to get up.

18:26Faye Carruthers:But they're competitive at that level. And I think they've got a lot to be proud of with the run they've been on.

18:32Tom Garry:Yeah, absolutely. And that is why the FA Cup is so important, the money that it brings to these teams and the visibility that it brings as well. Oxford United had similar eyes on them, but they were beaten by Charlton Athletic in the end, a 1-0 victory for the WSL2 side. The FA Women's National League side, though, made them work hard for it, Susie, and they actually now get to host Liverpool in the next round, which is a fixture we've seen before, but not for a while.

19:04Suzy Wrack:Yeah, this is a really interesting game in that I think everyone thought Charlton would be comfortable winners of this and it's far more competitive than many considered, given that Charlton, top of WSL2, haven't lost a league game since I think it's November 2024, I want to say. and then you've got Oxford United who are fifth in the National League, Southern Premier Division, lost six games, which is more than any of the teams above them by quite some margin for first to third, have only lost one or two games between them each. And yeah, so they held on for as long as they did and it was a bit of a mess for the goal in that obviously Grace Palmer's rightly sent off a handball off the line quite acrobatically.

20:00Suzy Wrack:And then Lucy Fitzgerald scores from the penalty spot is the difference between those teams in that game, I think is a real testament to Oxford United. And the fight they showed going into a game where I think, you know, everyone kind of expected it to be a little bit of a walk in the park to a certain extent for Charlton, but they really, really took it to them and really tested Charlton and sort of kind of gave them a little bit of a warning that it may not all be entirely smooth sailing this season for them. But yeah, it was Lucy Fitzgerald's fifth goal in five games. Like great run of form that they're on as a club.

20:35Suzy Wrack:And Liverpool is a nice tie for them, like not too high level a WSL side, you know, a team that they could maybe cause some trouble with. But given Liverpool's form, who knows what will happen in that.

20:47Tom Garry:That feels like so many teams at the moment, doesn't it? depending on their form. Brighton, another one of those teams, actually. And they held off a West Ham comeback to book their spot in the next round. Frank Kirby returned with the goal on assist, proving, Jamie, just how key she is to this Brighton team. They've been in a bit of a slump recently. Yeah, certainly.

21:08Jamie Spangher:It's been a hard couple of months for Brighton. They're really struggling to get into the next gear. And I think, look, there's obviously been a bit of turmoil at the club right now. Dario Videsic has been away for personal reasons and they've had a little bit of change in leadership. and that can be hard when it's not a straight swap, when it's obviously your managers coming back. And I think the players, they've had maybe more of a step back than we expected this season. I think last season was a really, really big statement for Brighton. We obviously know what they're doing behind the scenes in terms of the women's team.

21:35They're building a lot of facilities

21:37Jamie Spangher:and they know what their ambition is. And last season, it felt like it was a team with a new coach that was really exciting, sort of how Spurs were under Robert Villarreal in that first season. And I think this is kind of the year for Brighton to strip back and say, okay, we've lost a lot of players, a big turnover in the summer. How do we attack this season and just do what we need to do to get by while we're maintaining the squad rebuild? And they have a really young team and a really inexperienced team. That's why players like Frank Kirby, Kiko Secki, these are really important figures in this Brighton set-up right now.

22:05Jamie Spangher:So I think it's a result that they really, really needed. It's a result against a team that, look, West Ham, like Liverpool, they've not been pulling in results, but they've got a bit of a new identity under a new manager right now, and it's really important to kind of make your statement under them. But for Brighton fans, I think it's a hard, hard season for them because they're not seeing results transpire. But it almost feels like one is just be patient. There is a project here. There is a build going on now and you're in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and just push from where you can. Not a great draw for them in the quarterfinals.

22:34Jamie Spangher:However, you know, you do what you can and they've caused Arsenal issues at Crawley in recent years. So you never know.

22:39Tom Garry:Yeah, exactly. Because that draw was made on Monday night. And we mentioned earlier some of the matchups, Jamie said just there, Arsenal and Brighton. In an all WSL tie, Manchester City will travel to Birmingham. Chelsea will face Spurs and Charlton will host Liverpool. Important news to bring as well, Tom, because a few weeks ago you broke the story that the FA's potential plans to restructure the FA Cup, including seeding the top four sides, had been announced. Well, it had been leaked and it was met with wide disapproval by fans and clubs alike, wasn't it? But Thursday, you revealed that the plans have now been scrapped.

23:20Tom Garry:What can you tell us more about that?

23:23Faye Carruthers:Yes, actually, to be fair, I would say scrapped is maybe not quite the right word. The plans haven't been taken off the table for definite, but they have certainly been paused and put on hold, very much so. There'll be no changes for next season. The FA got back in touch with all the clubs and stakeholders last week to essentially let them know that they were slowing the process down. They'd heard lots and lots of feedback, which as I understand it, a vast lot of that was very negative, including from clubs and fans groups particularly, and also players. I know a lot of players actually wrote to the FA with their thoughts as well.

23:59Faye Carruthers:And having heard all of that feedback, so much of it being negative, our understanding is the FA have just decided that they have to slow down. They can't push ahead with making this change and putting it up to FA board level this April. So they've agreed that there'll be no changes for next season and that they'll extend the consultation period for next season. So these ideas of seeding teams and doing away with the draw beyond the round of 32 and other ideas like changing the entry tiers for some of the lower league clubs, those are all still on the table and being discussed. But it's the commitment right now is just to slow down and take more time to talk.

24:32Faye Carruthers:So I would imagine from that the direction of travel is that you would assume eventually that these proposals or large chunks of them will maybe not go forward in the way that they were outlined earlier this winter. But yeah, I think for those who are in opposition to these plans, this was a really big step. It was assigned at the feedback from particularly from the fans groups. We saw, for example, the official supporters club of Manchester City, a team who would have been seeded and benefited from these ideas, even they issuing a strong statement of opposition. And I think when you had fans of teams who would have been seeded even saying, no, thank you, then I think that's probably helped the FA hear that, listen and say, OK, we need to take some stock.

25:12Faye Carruthers:We haven't got this quite right. We're going to extend the consultation period and look at it again over the course of the next 12 months or so with a view to maybe some tweaks being made for the 27 to 28 season. Is that making me feel a bit old now thinking about that? It will come sooner than you think.

25:29Tom Garry:That's the latest of where we're at.

25:31Faye Carruthers:And I think from the FA, I suppose, hoping that people will see that they're trying to listen and listen to take people's opinions into account. Let's see what happens from here. But no changes for next season, which I think if you're one of the fans or clubs who made your voice heard, then I think you're probably very pleased right now that your kind of democratic exercise had some sway in stalling this until next year at the earliest.

25:59Tom Garry:Yeah, important that they listened, I think. A quick question that came in from Andrew Bissett in South Africa. I think we had an email from him recently, and I apologise if it's Bisset as well. Bouquet and Bucket, if anybody remembers keeping up appearances. Hello, Faye and Susie. When the last round of the FA Cup took place, there was a discussion around how few games were televised or streamed. I wanted to raise a related issue. This season, and I think the past few as well, There's been no international broadcast at all. I watched the 2020 Everton against Manchester City final on TV in South Africa.

26:33Tom Garry:So the rights have been sold to international markets before. This isn't even that I can't watch my team's game. No games, even those selected for live broadcast on TNT, aren't available to watch on any paid channels outside of the UK. Has the FA tried to sell the rights internationally? I can be frustrated if they did, but broadcasters where I live didn't buy them. So now I can't watch. But I'm upset if the FA have decided not to bother to promote their competition. to an international audience. It's a disservice to the growth of women's football in England. What do we know about this? Because I thought that they had actually, obviously, you know, they've got the TNT and Channel 4 deal domestically.

27:11Tom Garry:But I thought that there were global broadcast partners that had bought in from the first round proper onwards. Anybody know?

27:18Jamie Spangher:I know that there was no streams available here. I was watching in Australia and I had to get up yesterday, so Monday it would have been, and watch all the games on replay, which is interesting because it's not always been like that. I remember it was 2018-19. I remember watching the FA Cup. It was only like the final and the semifinals. But yeah, not great. I'm not sure what the behind the scenes is. But yeah, it's difficult because I think I've seen a few opinions say, oh, how do we compare this to the men's game and the men's game do this? We need to follow a similar model. I don't agree with that sentiment.

27:46Jamie Spangher:I think that I understand that there is a model there that we need to follow. And obviously it's worked for the men's game. But you're stunting the growth of women's sport and women's football internationally. I do think there's a different way to go about it. But like I said, I don't know the background information. However, yeah, it's difficult as an international football fan because you don't have access.

28:03Tom Garry:Yeah, it used to be via the FA player. But I think we'll need to dig around a little bit more into that, Andrew. Usually what you get if there has been, you know, big broadcast deals done is you get a press release. And I certainly can't find that. I certainly don't think it's that they wouldn't have tried to sell the rights internationally. internationally but I'll try and dig around and find a little bit more information for you and hopefully we can bring you that. Right that's it for part one of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly in part two we'll look ahead to the international break and we'll preview the upcoming Asian Cup.

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29:23Tom Garry:Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. So the first international break of the year is upon us. It sees two major tournaments take place, the start of World Cup qualification and a series of friendlies. So the 2026 edition of the Asian Cup kicks off on Sunday, the 1st of March in Perth, as hosts Australia take on the Philippines. Holders China are going to kick off their title defence against Bangladesh, while Japan open against Chinese Taipei. This is exciting, Jamie. Another major tournament being hosted down under. How have the preparations been going? What can we expect next month?

30:00Tom Garry:Oh, I'm so excited, Faye.

30:01Jamie Spangher:I can't even say it enough. Obviously, the 2023 World Cup was massive for the Matildas and just massive for women's football here in this country because it's not something like the Matildas are beloved by the entire nation, but football itself just isn't. And it's quite funny how much Australia embraces the Matildas. So I think it's necessary because like not to put a sour note on the Asian Cup, but looking in the last two years, there was a really big opportunity to really invest and grow the women's game here after Australia made the semifinal. We won't talk about what happened in that game, but it was a big feat on home soil.

30:33Jamie Spangher:And it did feel like a bit of a lack of intent from the football federation over here and they didn't do enough. So it almost feels like this home tournament isn't the injection of energy that the nation needs. But it'll be interesting because Australia do not have a very successful history at the Asian Cup at all, despite the fact that their squad is very good. And it's still good in the current day. But I'm a little bit nervous. It'll be nice coming up against a pretty difficult group. The Philippines have got a good squad and South Korea and Iran as well. So it'll be interesting to see how that goes.

31:02Jamie Spangher:And then obviously an early meeting with Japan as well. So in terms of the buzz, it's not as high as I'd probably like it to be. But people have Matilda's fever here. It's absolutely insane. Being in England was amazing because everyone loves the Lionesses, but here it's just like no one follows a football team, but they follow the Matildas. So it'll be an interesting tournament, lots to dive into and lots to look at. I'm very excited to head up. I'm going up to Sydney. So, yeah, it'll be a good couple of weeks.

31:26Tom Garry:Once it kicks off, then you know what it's like. The preamble to a tournament can be a bit painful, but once it actually starts, then it's pretty good. And Susie, the Matildas are among the favourites, which you'd kind of expect. First tournament under Joe Montemuro. How do you feel they're shaping up as an outsider looking in?

31:47Suzy Wrack:I mean, it's really hard to say because results have been a little bit mixed. Obviously, the 3-0 loss to England, you know, wasn't great towards the end of last year. But then back-to-back wins over New Zealand to finish the year sort of showed that things are coming together a little bit. I think it's a little bit of an unknown in that it's kind of a weird interim sort of squad phase for the team in that you've got this whole layer of the golden generation that are sort of coming towards the end of their careers. And then a whole load of eight players new to this tournament in the squad. So there's a big transitional phase going on.

32:28Suzy Wrack:obviously Sam Kerr, Steph Catley Mackenzie Arnold, Alana Kennedy Emily Van Egmond, Michelle Heyman these are all players who are sort of coming towards the latter stages of their career, like desperate for a trophy and then you've got all of these sort of younger players being brought into the fold that are sort of having to integrate into that environment there's been quite a lot of experimentation to what extent they click during this tournament I think is the big question and whether that all comes together what the forward line looks like, if Sam Kerr is fit or whether they're reliant on some of these younger players that have come into the fold to deliver is a big question.

33:07Suzy Wrack:And then I don't think we can underestimate the stakes as well. The only reason they qualified for the 2023 World Cup in Australia was because they were hosts. They got knocked out of the quarter-final stages in 2022. So they need to do what they're doing in terms of future-proofing the team and bringing in these young players, but they also need to make sure they win these games. And a big part of the reason why they struggled in 22 was they didn't have a lot of depth in some positions and failed to sort of manage some of the biggest moments and things like that. So in a way, they look in a better place.

33:45Suzy Wrack:They look more prepared for sort of different scenarios and stuff in that they've got numerous players who can play in different positions. They've had a bit of a focus on versatility of players and things like that. But there's still a lot of question marks. I think it's going to be really interesting to see. Experimentation is fine in the build-up to this, but what does it look like when it all comes to fruition and to what extent does it click and gel when the tournament gets underway? It's going to be really interesting.

34:10Tom Garry:A lot of pressure as well, it feels, perhaps. And Japan will have that pressure additionally, but they seem to thrive under it in this tournament. They've got Nils Nilsson at the helm as well. Plenty of Barclays WSL stars included in their squad, Tom. What are you expecting from them?

34:29Faye Carruthers:Yeah, they've got 16 members of their squad currently playing their football in the WSL. It's a really good team. And I think that they're by far the biggest threat to the Australians. Nils Nilsson, obviously, you know, they've had success with the She Believes last year where they looked really strong. They haven't won this competition for eight years, but it looks to me from the outside that this is the strongest squad in the tournament. And if you think about just to name but a few, you know, people obviously with Hasegawa, with Fugino, with Amano, Nagano at Liverpool, you know, Toko Kogo, who's played so well at centre-back for Tottenham, Yamashita in goal.

35:06Faye Carruthers:It looks like a team that's ready to win this tournament. I think they play all three of their group games in Perth. Then there'll be the travel that they'll have to suddenly contend with when they go across to Sydney for the knockouts. But if they can contend with that West Coast to East Coast switch, which then I think I'm struggling to fault with the group, Vietnam, India and Chinese Taipei. I'd be very surprised if that's not three wins out of three. They could start to build momentum and yeah, they're dangerous. They're a real threat. They're so fascinated to see how they get on with so much technical quality in the side.

35:38Faye Carruthers:A really fascinating month ahead for them.

35:42Tom Garry:Yeah, the Asian Games in 2023, they beat Vietnam 7-0. So they would be expecting to win that for sure. Although, you know, a lot can happen in that time. Chinese Taipei, they beat 4-0 last summer as well. Who else do we need to be keeping an eye on, Jamie? Any potential surprises?

36:02Jamie Spangher:I think you can't go past China. They're the most decorated team in this competition. And we know what they did in 2022. I think that's a team where they're suffering a little bit recently in the last 12 months. They've had some really big losses. Obviously, England fans know what happened. And in the latter stages in 2025, it was that 8-0 big thrashing. But I think that China have a team that, look, again, it's similar to the Matildas where it feels like they're kind of transitioning their older generation, but they've got a lot of young stars. So I think you can't really, when it comes to major tournament football, we know how much experience pays a difference in these kind of setups.

36:35Jamie Spangher:And even if you're looking at the Euros, for example, like the Lionesses have done it before. They went to Switzerland and they weren't great, but they still have been there before. And I think we can't discount the impact that will have on China. I still think teams like the Philippines are one that are really interesting. I think that there's some really good stories in that team. The manager, Mark Takazo, it's actually, it's very funny. He, in 2013, was managing with, working with Joe Montemuro at Melbourne Victory, but he couldn't actually officially work because he didn't have his badges.

37:01Jamie Spangher:And Joe Montemuro said, go and get your badges. You're going to be a great coach one day. And then they're facing each other in the opening match. So he's the head coach of the Philippines, which would be interesting. But some really good players, South Korea, another team with some really good players. It was Casey Fair at the Women's World Cup in 2023, which a bit of a controversy. She was the youngest player. She was 16 and made her debut youngest play at the World Cup. But she's been in the NWSL since. Now she's in Sweden. So I think you've got a lot of underrated footballers and a lot of underrated setups when it comes to the AFC.

37:28Jamie Spangher:And I think you're on a global stage. It almost takes teams like the Matildas and Japan, where obviously in Europe, we're very familiar with a lot of those players to kind of open us up to the other talent. So yeah, a lot of stories in this tournament. But I think there'll be a few surprises and I'm a little bit nervous about those surprises being in the group that Australia might be in.

37:47Tom Garry:Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. Where can we watch it over here if anyone wants to watch it? Do you know?

37:52Jamie Spangher:I'm not actually sure. I know here it's paramount, but I do think there's like the Matildas games will be on broadcast. I'm not sure if that translates internationally. However, yeah, for Australian fans, it's behind a paywall, which is very annoying unless it's Australia.

38:06Tom Garry:By the way, WAFCON 2026 kicks off later in March. So we'll be covering that in a couple of weeks as well. In terms of the European teams, this window marks the start of World Cup qualification for Brazil in 2027. There you go, Tom, you can continue to feel like we're fast forwarding time. Lionesses are competing in League A against Ukraine, Iceland and Spain. Only the top of the group are qualifying. This is really tough, actually. And it's important, isn't it, Susie, for Serena Vigman's side to get off to a good start? Absolutely critical.

38:41Suzy Wrack:With Spain in this group, as we found over and over again in various tournaments of late, you need to be winning all of your games because those games against Spain are so, so critical. particularly when only finishing top of this group secures automatic qualifications to World Cup. Obviously if you finish in any other position you advance to the playoffs in various ways and things and different extents but avoiding that when you've got players who are playing so much football is a really significant opportunity and you only do that if you're going into the first game against Spain at Wembley on the 14th of April, having won your first two fixtures.

39:28Suzy Wrack:And yeah, really, really important to get off to a fast start, obviously. A little bit of a rocky end to the year in that things weren't entirely fluid after the Euros, that 2-1 defeat to Brazil. Then the wins against Australia and China and Ghana. But like relatively speaking, that Brazil loss was costly and it didn't feel totally fluid at times. Although there was a bit of a hangover post Euros, as there always is. So it's going to be really interesting. Ukraine and Iceland shouldn't cause the squad. We've got too many problems in theory, but like you can never, never second guess these things too much, particularly when there is World Cup qualification at stake.

40:14Tom Garry:Yeah. Republic of Ireland also in League A. They open up against France at home in Tala. Tough start to their campaign, actually, Jamie. But in some way, you know, if you're facing France, the pressure's off Carla Ward's side a little bit, you'd think.

40:28Jamie Spangher:Yeah, certainly. I think it's interesting, the Republic of Ireland, because they've obviously had some up and down results recently, especially with those Nations League campaigns last year. But then they really kicked into gear at the end of the year. So I do think I completely agree. You're playing against a France team, which almost always kind of underperform in these big moments. And it almost feels like a free hit. You're at home in Teller. Obviously, hopefully there's no sideways rain and we know how that stadium can sometimes be. But for Carla Ward, I just think this is a fresh year. And it's interesting because like a lot of teams we've spoken about, it does feel like there's a bit of transition.

40:59Jamie Spangher:But she still has her players. Denise O'Sullivan's fit. She'll be back in that setup. Katie McCabe's obviously an ambiguous future, but she's playing a really good football at Arsenal right now. Those big names and someone like Caitlin Hayes is getting a lot of minutes at Brighton. And these players that weren't really starting for clubs are now starting for clubs, Anna Patton amongst them. So it does feel like she's entering the new year with a lot more solidity in that line-up. There's players that are regular starters rather than, oh, we need to call you up and you need to play for the national team.

41:25Jamie Spangher:So it feels like a free hit. But I also think when you get them at home in Dublin, I just think Ireland can put on these shows and hopefully it's a good performance and a bit of a free hit against a team that sometimes are a bit shaky when it counts.

41:36Tom Garry:Yeah, you don't need to worry about sideways rain at the moment. No, I don't. I'm sorry, guys.

41:42Jamie Spangher:Soft spot.

41:45Tom Garry:Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all competing in League B. Rhianne Wilkinson's side open away to Czech Republic. Scotland face Luxembourg, while managerless Northern Ireland face a tricky trip to Switzerland. All three in a little bit of a difficult place at the minute. Things starting to look a little bit rosier, perhaps, for Wales and Scotland, Tom. But how worried should fans be?

42:07Faye Carruthers:Maybe. Not worried so much, but hopeful that the groups are not going to be impossible to navigate, but there are some challenges there. I'd just really quickly like to firstly say, send our congratulations to Rhianne Wilkinson and her partner on the arrival of a baby boy, I think about 10 days ago. Very special news to them. And I'm sure Wales will be extra motivated to give them a bit of a special new parent treat with a win or two in the first round of fixtures, because they're going to need to start quickly. I think if I looked at Scotland's fixtures, clearly the big one is Belgium and trying to get the better of Belgium over this campaign would give them a chance to maybe get promoted and so on.

42:45Faye Carruthers:And you kind of, you can break that cycle and get yourself a better draw next time. But it's probably that Belgium game that will really define it. You'd expect both Scotland and Belgium to beat Israel and Luxembourg. And it's a little bit like the England group where you would expect England and Spain to kind of win the other games and then the ones against each other will decide it. You ask how worried should it be? It all depends if they can get into the playoffs, all three of the nations that we're talking about here, Northern Ireland 2. There is definitely a chance to... I can see a path to qualify.

43:13Faye Carruthers:They're just going to have to perform in some really big games that are coming up here. And with this Nations League sort of seeding draw format that we're in, it has such a consequence on your next cycle as well. So to go back to your question, I don't think they should be worried, but I think we're just seeing the importance of where you finish in these groups now has such a long effect on your next couple of cycles that is more critical than ever. So I would say get behind the teams in these games in particular because they're going to have not just for qualification for the World Cup, they're going to have an impact on the next couple of years for these teams.

43:50Tom Garry:I actually think that's an important thing, by the way, because it means that the football associations have to invest in order to do it. It almost forces their hand in some ways. Right, just to finish off, we had a question from Megan Mooney a couple of weeks back about Burnley. And actually, Tom, we thought you'd be best placed to answer it. Another question about a Burnley manager. Does anyone know what's happening at Burnley this season? We obviously started the year with the awful news about Matt Beard and then a few weeks later, he leaves. We have Lou Roberts, who's done an amazing job so far this season, than with most of the season played.

44:29Tom Garry:She's now left. We had a real chance this season of getting promoted. The one plus that this American ownership had was that their investment in the women's team was good. But this season's shaping up to be the opposite of the men's. Great on the pitch, but turmoil in the dugout. What's happening? Thank you, Megan. Tom, what is happening?

44:47Faye Carruthers:Well, yeah, as you said, it's been a lot of off-pitch upheaval this season for various different reasons. So far, it doesn't appear to have impacted the players on the pitch to the extent that they're still top of the league, albeit Wolves have got games in hand. They're still in a great position to challenge for, you know, to get promoted and get that automatic promotion spot. They're going to be locked really closely with Wolves. One of those two, we're sure will come up and the other may well get the playoff victory too. So on the pitch, it's been a good, Lou Roberts, listen, to be honest and say, I don't know the reasons for why she's stepped away from it, but it was suggested to me before that news came out that there was perhaps things weren't maybe entirely harmonious behind the scenes at the kind of club, between the club and the head coach.

45:33Faye Carruthers:What that amounts to, yeah, I would perhaps give you a better answer on another pod after a bit more research. But what it was important to say is that on the pitch, Robots was doing a really good job. So I'm a little bit, I looked at it a bit confused, I suppose, from an outsider, as an onlooker, because things are going very well. They're a club where they should be competing in that league, Premier League backing financially from the affiliate men's team into a league like that. They should be where they are. And I think, understandably, all the fans will be demanding a bit more from them as a club to put a bit more in and keep kicking on.

46:14Faye Carruthers:We've seen Wolves announce their intention that they are applying for promotion, which they didn't do last year. Burnley obviously made their intentions clear last year with their ambition that they wanted to get up to the double-seller too. What they probably need now is just a period of stability. They could do with a bit more clarity on what the future is going to look like for the team, the coaching structure, everything like that, just to give the players a bit more clarity now because it's such an important run in. And yeah, they've got to compete with Wolves in an essentially a winner-takes-all situation.

46:45Tom Garry:Yeah, we'll definitely keep an eye on that situation. by the way like we've had today from Andrew and Megan keep having your say send your questions in via X email us at womensfootballweeklyattheguardian.com until then this is also your regular reminder to sign up for our bi-weekly women's football newsletter all you need to do is search moving the goalposts sign up Jamie it was lovely to have you on you always bring so much energy obviously you know we all wish we were recording at 7pm at night not 7am in the morning. But I hope you enjoy the Asian Cup and I'm sure we'll hear from you over the next few weeks.

47:25Tom Garry:Always a pleasure to come on. Thank you guys so much. And yes, be tuning into the Asian Cup for sure. Excellent. Tom Gary, always a pleasure to talk to you.

47:33Faye Carruthers:Great to speak to you too, mate. Take care.

47:36Tom Garry:See you later. Susie Rack, enjoy the dentist. Don't we all? No, we don't. But I hope you have fun. I'll see you soon. Bye The Guardian Women's Football Weekly is produced by Sophie Downey and Silas Gray Music composition was by Laura Iredell Our executive producer is Ian Chambers

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