Featured photo by Helen, all rights reserved.
Bristol City
The Robins face a tough task in this WSL campaign after finishing 10th last season. Manager Tanya Oxtoby will aim for a mid-table finish but many are tipping Bristol for a relegation scrap and ultimately a bottom of the pile finish.
However, Oxtoby’s side will be hopeful to survive after a busy summer on the transfer front. The arrivals of Australian midfielder Ella Mastrantonio, full back Jemma Purfield and youngsters Emma Bissell and Aimee Palmer will hope to change that destiny. Fellow Australian midfielder Chloe Logarzo will also be available for the duration of the season after only featuring once last year due to multiple factors.
Welsh international winger Megan Wynne made her loan move from Tottenham Hotspur into a permanent one this summer but an unfortunate injury in pre-season training has ruled the 27-year-old out for the season. Another player to have suffered an ACL injury is Abi Harrison, but on better news the forward has returned to training and should be ready ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
Despite a poor season last year with the most goals conceded in the WSL (38), the Bristol side were able to pick up a haul of ShePlays points. Gemma Evans, Jasmine Matthews, Yana Daniels and exciting young striker Ebony Salmon (top goal scorer with five) all caught the eye. However, young Maisy Collis will be out to overcome an unwanted record as the lowest scoring ShePlays player with a -4 total last season after one appearance, which unfortunately came in the 11-1 demolition by Arsenal.
Bristol will hope to bury their defensive frailties that haunted them last year. On paper, the Robins face a difficult start hosting Everton before an away tie with reigning champions, Chelsea in round two. However, they did record impressive away wins over Manchester United and Birmingham City last season. An atrocious home record, where they picked up only one league point on home turf last year (the opening day goalless draw with Brighton) will hope to be changed this season with a new home ground of Twerton Park in Bath.
Below we take a look at three players that could prove vital in the Robins hunt for WSL safety:
Star of the Show: Sophie Baggaley – GK – £30,000 – 99 points during 2019/20 WSL campaign
England goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley was the outstanding performer for a struggling Bristol side last term. The 23-year-old is the Robins first choice goalkeeper, and currently the only senior player in that position with the club. Praised throughout the country, Baggaley produces save after save with a statistically struggling defence. The ShePlays bonus system benefits the ‘keeper hugely but any big defeats could cancel these out. To score 99 points in a side that conceded the most goals in the league last season (38) is an impressive feat. The £30,000 price tag could be warranted for those managers looking to save some money freeing up extra for attacking threats. A possible risk with an away trip to Chelsea in Round 2.
Learn more about Baggaley’s career so far here
New Arrival: Ella Mastrantonio – MF – £20,000
Bristol acted quick in the summer transfer window to sign Australian international midfielder Ella Mastrantonio. The 28-year-old will embark on her first spell outside of her homeland after joining from Western Sydney Wanderers. Alongside fellow international compatriot, Chloe Logarzo, Bristol will be hoping that the Australian duo tighten up the midfield. With six senior international caps, Mastrantonio should be a starter for the Robins and at a price of £20,000 could be a useful addition for ShePlays managers.
Kid on the Block: Georgia Wilson – MF – £15,000 – 18 years old
Young midfielder Georgia Wilson made eight WSL appearances for the Robins last term including five starts. At only 18, Wilson will be looking to push on this campaign. With a season long injury to Megan Wynne, a space for Wilson to push on has opened. With Logarzo, Mastrantonio and Carla Humphrey ahead of her, the youngster is riding the fringes. Humphrey is returning from injury herself however and at only £15,000, Wilson could be a strong choice for a squad filler. She registered a senior goal last season in the League Cup victory away at Charlton Athletic.