Why Everton head coach Scott Phelan is confident ahead of Women’s FA Cup derby v Liverpool | OneFootball

Everton v Liverpool

Scott Phelan leads his Everton side into a local derby against Liverpool this weekend in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup. 

And he told the media on Thursday afternoon that they are going into the game confident after three wins on the bounce. 

“One of the first things we tried to achieve when we arrived was just creating a mentality within the group to win games of football,” he said. “That was something that I mentioned in terms of context of the league, of course, but also it’s what the talent in the squad should have been aiming to achieve anyway, regardless of form.  

“We’re excited, we’re confident from the recent run of form, the last three games especially, and hopefully that can help us moving into an exciting fixture at the weekend.” 

And he added that the Women’s FA Cup is a very special competition. 

“There’s a little bit of history with the club in terms of the FA Cup in previous years and it’d be amazing if some of the current squad could have [those] types of memories that they can keep with them for the rest of the season.  

“Cups can bring obviously a different distraction than what the league brings and and hopefully we can experience some nice moments. It was something that we highlighted again when I first came in: a cup run might make sure that there’s some really good moments to enjoy between now and the end of the season and hopefully that can start at the weekend.” 

Scott Phelan: Everton v Liverpool adds a little bit of something

And he added that although a local derby brings out a certain level of emotion, his team are focused on winning every game of football they play. 

“The focus on our group is to perform and represent the club in a way that we expect, regardless of the opposition.  

“Obviously, the Liverpool element adds a little bit of something to it, of course…it’d be wrong to say it doesn’t mean nothing. That’s definitely not the case, but in terms of steering too far away, just because there’s a local opposition, that shouldn’t be the case either. 

“We’re focused on what we believe we have to do to give us a good performance level.”