‘We’ve taken the first step’ - Oxtoby

The Robins boss believes last weekend’s performance was the best she has seen from her group this campaign but Oxtoby has stressed the squad can’t get ahead of themselves with five months left in the season.

“We asked or a 90 minute performance from the girls, and we got that. We asked for them to be disciplined and close down the spaces and to really concentrate, said Oxtoby.

“I thought that was our first 90 minute performance of the season, we’ve been good in patches and our game against Reading, but we were sloppy and let in some goals.

“That performance against Manchester United was exceptional and hopefully that’s our foundation to build off.

“We spent the break refocusing on what are goals are. We’re not kidding ourselves they’re a lot different to when we started the season and we have to be honest and acknowledge where we are.

“We’ve used the break to refocus and we’ve set a target that we need to reach to make sure we’re in a position were we’re not in the bottom of the league and that was a great first step last weekend, but we have reiterated that it was only a first step and we have to carry on going forward as we’ve set ourselves a minimum standard.

Oxtoby is without a number of first team players for this weekend’s trip to Kingsmeadow to take on Chelsea and the Australian knows a big challenge awaits her young side in the capital.

“It’s going to be a tough weekend, especially when you look at the squad and we’re decimated by injuries. That’s one thing that is really hard for the group to deal and we’re working really hard to rectify that.

“From our perspective, to go away to Chelsea will be a big challenge for the group but we’ve got focus on our process points and what we’re trying to get out of the game. We need to make sure that whatever happen we’re happy with our performance and we’ve concentrated for 90 minutes.”

Bristol City Women travel away to face Chelsea at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, January 12th before welcoming Liverpool to the SGS College Stoke Gifford Stadium the following weekend on Sunday, January 19th (3pm).

Supporters can purchase their tickets for the fixture against Liverpool below.

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