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Match Preview: Ipswich Town vs London City
- samwraight
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Subway Women’s League Cup
Ipswich Town
Sunday 23rd November
14:00pm
JobServe Community Stadium
We’re back in Subway Women’s League Cup action today, on the road again to face Ipswich Town.
London City have been on fantastic form in the Women’s Super League heading into this fixture, having beaten Spurs 4-2 and Villa 3-1 leading into our final group game in the cup.
Here is your full match preview keeping you up to date.
Last Time Out
Last time out, London City beat Aston Villa away from home by three goals to one.
Saki Kumagai’s first WSL goals and a strike from former Villa forward Izzy Goodwin secured victory for London City on a chilly lunchtime at Villa Park.
The visitors delivered a clinical display on the road in what was an entertaining encounter.
Opposition Overview
London City will see a very familiar face against Ipswich, club legend Grace Neville, who played in London City’s first ever game right up until when we won promotion to the Barclays WSL last season.
It will also be a big game for Freya Godfrey, as the Essex-born winger travels back to face a club she once played for on loan.
The Tractor Girls have endured a tough start to the season, currently at the bottom of the BWSL2 table, recording one win, one draw and seven losses in the league following their promotion last season.
Where to Watch
This game will not be streamed, and the only way to watch it live will be to be with us at the JobServe Community Stadium.
For live updates, follow our X account, which will have minute-by-minute updates from the stadium. Click the link below.
Follow the rest of our socials for lineups, goal updates, plus the scores at half time and full time.
For more information, check out our fan guide on the button below.
Jocelyn Prêcheur’s Press Conference
On Ipswich:
“I’ve watched several league games of Ipswich, and I have a good picture of what we can expect on Sunday against Ipswich.
“I’m fortunate as I work with two very good analysts, who made a very good job to prepare us for this game.”
On pressure in the WSL, and pressure in the WLC:
“You always want to give the best performance possible; we need to keep improving so if it is the league or the cup, it helps us to work on specific points.
“It also provides opportunities for players to show that they are improving individually, so Sunday is a big game.”
On Team Selection:
“I will make some changes as I want to keep everyone involved and create a group.
“I need to create cohesion, and this can’t be done if I don’t focus on the whole squad.
“All of my players work very hard, and they all deserve the chance to show their skills.”
On London City’s form:
“I’m happy that my staff and players are working hard.
“I’m focused on improving the team, I think we can do better. The results bring confidence to the team which is good for a coach.
“We need to take it game by game, we will review our performances in the international break and see how we do in the second half of the season.
“Right now, my focus is only on Ipswich.”
On Freya Godfrey’s England call-up:
“Of course I’m so happy, I also really appreciated that Sarina Wiegman called me to let me know.
“She (Wiegman) has a great approach to give chances to young players, and not everyone is like this.
“Similarly, developing players is a big part of the project at London City and this good news about Freya encourages everyone to work hard.
“It’s very good news for Freya, for our staff, and an incentive to keep working.
“Everyone knows her talent, but not everyone knows how disciplined she is for such a young player. She is a great example for the younger players.
“She is the first Lioness to be called up in London City’s history, and I hope we will have more.”
On London City’s Momentum:
“We focus on every detail to improve. We never decrease our levels for any opponent, any game.
“We have prepared for Ipswich like we have for every league game, with a lot of hard work from the analysts and on the pitch too.
“We can’t just keep going because we have a good dynamic, we need to ask for more because of this. I know my players can do more than what we have shown.”
On preparation for teams London City haven’t faced:
“This is my first season in the WSL, and last season was my first the BWSL2, so nearly every game is new.
“In the second half of the season I start to have a better idea, but this is why we research and analyse.
“We also need to be ready to respond when coaches change details in-game.”
On the international call-ups:
“It’s very important, as it confirms to the players that when they work hard for us they can get this reward.
“The more you give our team, the more opportunities like this you get.
“An international call up means that you are a skilled individual, a quality individual that works hard.
“I want these call-ups to give us more self-confidence, as we need to develop this.
“It provides a new and different voice for them from a coaching perspective other than me, and they only play with and against high-level players, so it is a good experience for them.”
On quarter-final qualification being out of London City’s hands:
“You are right, it will be tough and doesn’t depend on us, but there is still a chance.
“We need a good performance, we need to be very offensive, we need to increase our efficiency infront of goal, like we did in our last two games.”
On his first game (pre-season last year) being against Ipswich:
“I think both teams are completely different now, that was my first game at London City last season.
“They have grown a lot and are now in the BWSL2, so have we and we are now in the WSL, so the teams have changed a lot so I can’t use that game to compare.”
On the fitness of Daniëlle van de Donk:
“She won’t return until after the international break, but she has started to run and even touched the ball a couple of days ago.
“Fingers crossed, we are really nearing the end of her rehabilitation process. When she will be able to play, I’m not sure, but she is progressing in her recovery well.
“Hopefully the next important step will be that she trains with the team, I know the fans really want her back, and I really want her back too.”
On our win at Villa Park:
“I liked the cohesion defensively to fight until the end to save the result.
“We were efficient in key moments, and disciplined on set pieces, there were a lot of positives.
“I still think we need to be more confident with each other, when keeping the ball and therefore momentum. I want us to stay offensive even if we are winning.
“I saw improvements, but in regards to the talent of my players, we can do better. This is all part of the process, though.”
On the team gelling:
“Players from last season, and new players, are all doing their best to understand the game project.
“They are competing for selection, and we have made a new team, almost from scratch.
“On Sunday we will rotate a bit, but it is a chance to show what you can do and how good of an asset you can be for the team.”