Reading FC Women’s manager reflects on FA Cup exit and looks ahead to Arsenal meeting
Liam Gilbert gives his insight after a tough week for the club, both on and off the pitch, and focuses on Reading’s next challenge as they welcome Arsenal to RG2 on Wednesday.
“We’ve had some honest conversations this week; a few things have come to light for this squad after the Wolves game. But I think it’s been a quite healthy week in terms of having some very open and honest discussions.
“Different sides have taken accountability and accepted that last Sunday was nowhere near the standards of what we have been working towards. It’s a learning curve and a reminder of the way we must perform to move forward.
“One performance does not define us and everything we have been working so hard to achieve. So, I think it’s helpful to have these honest conversations; otherwise, we will just take a step backward in moments like this."
Gilbert gives insight into the harmony the group has shown in moments like this and praises the team for pulling together as they prepare for the rest of the season.
“We did look different than we did a month ago, and we know that it’s not acceptable. There’s obviously a lot of stuff going on around the club right now that we can’t control. But in terms of moving forward, there is still a lot of progress to be made on the pitch.
“We all believe in the process, and the girls have been brilliant in terms of how they pull together. I’ve been in different teams before where the players might have split and created a bit of a toxic environment, but that’s not the case here.
“We have the right culture and personnel to right our wrongs and to give our all for the last few months of this season."
With illness in the camp leading to a postponement of Sunday's match against Birmingham, the Royals Boss now looks ahead to Arsenal in a headline contest in RG2 this Wednesday evening.
"We know the challenge ahead, and there is no point shying away from it, you just have to look at the calibre of players.
"It's an occasion that I know all of us are looking forward to, as a sportsperson you want to play against the best, and we will make sure we don't hide away.
"We're expecting a real big crowd, our fans have sold out their allocation, and we know Arsenal fans always travel well, so it'll be an enviorment and the type of football game that you relish.
"Getting this opportunity as a manager, and of course players, to test yourself against the best in the country and to have it on home soil, we just have to give it everything we've got - and put in a performance our fans can be proud of."