Mastrantonio relishing busy schedule

Bristol City are gearing up to face Brighton in the re-arranged Barclays FAWSL fixture due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the Sussex-based side a couple of weeks ago, and Mastrantonio believes a new-found confidence in the side can help City overcome the Seagulls on Saturday.

“It’s a massive game this weekend,” said Mastrantonio.

“The Chelsea game being called off has probably been a blessing in disguise to get another week to work under Matt [Beard]. I couldn't speak highly enough of him since he’s come in. He's installed confidence in us, putting his ideas and his philosophies in to practice and I think they're all coming together really nicely. I think we're going to build and hopefully have a good run in for the rest of the season.

"I think we're all relishing the run of games ahead, because I think we've got some points to prove from the last few results. We're going in with a different mindset, a different set of confidence and a different way of playing so we're really looking forward to it."

City’s will play Brighton and West Ham in the league as well as an FA Continental Cup semi-final against Championship table-toppers Leicester City in the next eight days, in what could be a vital period for the rest of the season.

“The more games the better, so I think we're all pretty much under the impression and know that this next week could be season-defining. We could get six points from the next two games and then we could also potentially be in the final of the FA Conti cup - a massive week ahead.

“We're not underestimating Brighton at all, but at the same time, we're going to go in with a fresh confidence, and hopefully we can get a result."

The fixture against Brighton will be new manager Matt Beard’s second game in charge for City, and Mastrantonio thinks that her side can already see an improvement in their performance due to his recent involvement with the squad.

“Matt really put the message into the group that we have to start training the way we want to play in-game and like I said, the intensity has been incredible since he's come in, so I think that's going to stand us in good stead.

“Against Everton, we had some really good moments we could’ve had a penalty and it could have been 2-1 - a totally different game. You can see the work that we've been doing, it’s already coming together in training and in parts of the game as well, so hopefully the sky's the limit now.”

Author: Lewis Barton