Chambers wins Manager of the Month

Kelly Chambers: This award was a team effort

After a challenging start to the campaign, questions were being asked about Reading’s safety in the WSL after a large transition of players in the summer and the team securing just one win in five league games.

As the Royals looked to build some momentum following a 3-0 win against Aston Villa in late October, another International break beckoned, a chance to prepare for a defining month where the Royals faced three league games in as many weeks.

Chambers’ first game of November was an enticing fixture away against Birmingham City, who sat just one place below the Royals, and saw the opportunity to begin creating a gap between themselves and Leicester. Reading came out on top and defeated Birmingham 3-0, thanks to goals from Deanne Rose (2) and Natasha Dowie – also nominated for November’s Player of the Month.

Reading then went on to face West Ham, and put on a second half full of character to battle back from being 2-0 at half time, to coming away from the Chigwell Construction Stadium with a point thanks to a very late goal from Emma Harries.

There were question marks as to if Reading would maintain this level performance, and a Conti Cup tie against Crystal Palace would prove a good opportunity to show their ability. Despite a wobble at the beginning of the second half, the Royals were largely dominant coming out 3-1 winners, keeping qualification hopes to the knockouts alive.

The final test was a home tie against the high-flying Seagulls, who were sat in third position in the WSL. Heading into the game, Chambers spoke of the high-intensity and organisation that Hope Powell’s side would bring into the game, and that Reading had to be nothing short of their best to get a result.

After a fast start, thanks to Dowie’s goal inside two minutes, the Royals stood strong and together to see out their 1-0 lead. Three points were in the bag as Emma Harries managed to latch on to Justine Vanhaevermaet’s ball through, and had the calmness to round the keeper and place into an empty net.

The result means Reading finished the month unbeaten, winning 10 points out of a possible 12 in all competitions, and look well on track to beat their total number of wins from last season (5).

On winning the award, boss Kelly Chambers had this to say:

“I think any manager would say that it’s nice to pick up the reward, but it is about the team.

“The players, the staff, yes I am the one that makes the decisions but I wouldn’t be able to make those decisions without the team.

“Those decisions are educated from the work that the coaching staff & I do, to work out the way we are going to play, analysing our opposition and then being able to deliver that to the players so they can perform on the pitch.

“Speaking of the players, they have been magnificent to put in the performances they have and pick up as many points as they did. So this award is for us all.”