WSL 2: Season preview, player interviews, who to watch out for | OneFootball

A sunny St George’s Park was the venue for the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League 2 (WSL 2) media day, and it was one to remember.

Nine out of this season’s 12 teams were represented as they set their goals for the latest campaign in what is sure to be a competitive battle for every point. We were present at St George’s Park to speak with the players and guide you through what to keep an eye on as this campaign unfolds.

We spoke to players from each of the nine clubs present and asked them about their goals for the season, plus their players to watch.

Bristol City

Bristol City midfielder Emily Syme stated she really wants to repeat her previous promotion with the club. The Robins lifted the 2022/23 title and earned their place in the Women’s Super League. Syme has set her sights on pushing for the glory once more.

“I’ve been with Bristol City for three years and want to progress this season. The big goal at the end of the season is going to be promotion. The club have echoed my promotion aims as well. We are very keen to get back to where we belong, in the WSL.”

“There looks to be five or six teams in the mix for promotion. The big name signings are yet to be proven in this league but it’s going to be really competitive with so many teams hard to beat. The first match of the season against Birmingham away is the one I’m excited for. It’s the biggest game to kickstart our season — it gives me butterflies and builds anticipation.”

Bristol City player to watch: Syme suggested new Bristol City signing Rio Hardy is one to look out for.

“Rio Hardy, our new signing. She’s had lots of Championship experience, she’s going to score a lot of goals for us as a focal point up front. She makes great runs and I’m looking forward to playing alongside her.”

Sheffield United

Sheffield United midfielder Ella Kinzett, fresh from her contract renewal at the Blades, is excited to help the team this season.

“I want to get as many minutes as possible, get some assists and a few goals. We’ve discussed our collective culture aims on how we are going to achieve a win, with our morals and values on and off the pitch. We want to compete with the top teams but we have to push to the last minute. We’ve brought in a lot of talented experienced players to help us see games out.”

Sheffield United player to watch: “Definitely, Amy Andrews and Charlie Devlin,” Kinzett said. “They are so fast and with our style of play — not to give too much away — they are going to kick on in the league. Also, with all of the big signings across the league elsewhere, it’s going to be really competitive for every point.”

Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town captain Maria Boswell will lead the team out this season and is excited for the campaign to kick off. The Tractor Girls will compete in WSL 2 after being promoted last season.

“I’ve spent the off season thinking about what I want to achieve on a personal note but I’ve also discussed with coaches and staff what we expect of each other as a wider team,” Boswell said. “In this higher league this season, we needed to realign our goals and work out our new identity to make ourselves competitive.”

The club are not adding pressure by outlining a strict league position aim, it’s a focus on being difficult to beat and defender Boswell is keen for the club to cement themselves in the league.

“I enjoy being captain, I’m a very organised person and it goes along with my personality. I enjoy it and like being someone the girls and coaches can chat to. I’m learning and improving every year, I’ve learnt a lot.

“A lot of the girls have been at a club a long time, they know each other well. It’s about keeping a level head and stepping back from the situation and the lows we are going to experienc. We need to get back on the same page and with such a great team we will pull together.”

Looking forward to reigniting rivalries and avenging past defeats with Portsmouth and Southampton will be key matches for Ipswich Town.

Ipswich Town player to watch: The well travelled striker, Rianna Dean, gets the club’s No.9 shirt this season and is an exciting prospect according to Boswell.

“I’ve seen glimpses of her in training and if she can stay injury free, she could light the league up. It’s very exciting to see what she can do this season”.

Charlton Athletic

Charlton defender Gracie Pearse, fresh from the club’s pre-season training camp in Marbella, outlined her aims for the season.

“I’m a ball-playing centre-back so I want to keep on top of good pass completion and keep driving forward with the ball at my feet. Keep trying to progress my one-on-one defending from last season to push the team forward.

“I love having the ball. I like seeing how to break through lines and happy for my team to reflect that my allowing me time on the ball whether teams press or sit back I want to be able to help us move up the pitch”. As with many other teams in WSL 2 Charlton are also aiming high and hoping to be in the mix at the top of WSL2 come the end of the season, Pearse stated “Palace have just dropped down from the WSL and retained some great players. You can never tell until the league starts who is going to be at the top, everyone’s very good, anyone can be up there”

Charlton Athletic player to watch: Pearse said: “We have a few players who are unique and special in our own way, we work so well together and are very grounded and stick together. There will some that shine as the season goes on, too many star players to name. The players who score the goals will get the headlines but other players in the squad shine in other way so lots of exciting players to watch.”

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest had four players representing the club on the day, all excited to see the club kick on from their title-winning season last time out. Forest are hoping new signing Aimee Claypole, a Chelsea academy graduate, hits the ground running this season and the young forward can get off of the mark early. The Forest squad also has experience in defender Nat Johnson, she’ll be certain to keep a steady ship against the leagues top attackers alongside new recruit Kirsty Smith as the defender joins from West Ham.

Nottingham Forest player to watch: Amy Rodgers is a composed and versatile midfielder, having gained experience at WSL side Liverpool and signing for Forest in 2025 from Bristol City. The Scotland international will be keen to prove herself with minutes on the pitch and help her teammates get results.

Portsmouth

Pompey right-back Jazz Bull aims high for herself and the team this season.

“I’m excited for the season ahead. I’m hoping to personally contribute to the team in many ways, including a few goals. Rare but hopeful. I’d probably not know how to celebrate but maybe I should plan one because if it does happen I can’t just stand there!”

The club have had a couple of pre-season games and hoping to get points on the board early this season. Having survived in the WSL2 last season, Portsmouth are hoping to kick on.

Bull was recently honoured with the armband at just 22 years of age.

“I love the girls and we have such a good relationship, it’s such an honour. My whole family are buzzing for me and they’ll all be in the stands. Portsmouth is a home from home for me, I’ve stayed down here over the Summer and my family know I’m happy and settled.

“My mum is so passionate, she’s the loudest voice on the sidelines. She’s had to take a paracetamol before because she’s given herself a headache cheering for me so much.”

Portsmouth player to watch: Captain Bull didn’t hesitate in her teammate to keep an eye on.

“Meg Hornby was our unsung hero last season with a lot of assists. I’m hoping she replicates that this season, showing the league what she’s got.”

Durham

Durham defender Lauren Briggs brings experience and a calm mindset to the team as they prepare for this WSL2 season.

“We’ve got some really exciting prospects coming through and personally, I want to continue to build on last season with us finishing fourth. I’m keen to help us build behind the scenes and on the pitch.”

It’s a way of life at Durham, with players staying for years at a time. Briggs has worked through the club’s academy system and returned in 2017 after a brief stint away.

The club has outlined their aims as promotion and hopes are high but they are respectful of their opposition.

“Teams aren’t in the league to take part, we all want to win and we want to get to the next level,” Briggs said. “Every game is a cup final, you need to grind out every point. We’ve got goals and ambitions but theres a fine line between it being a privilege and it becoming a pressure so we need to concentrate on what we can control.

“The WSL 2 isn’t a support act for the WSL. It’s been competitive in previous seasons but this season feels different with the driving force behind each team.”

Durham player to watch: New signing Tyler Toland has impressed Briggs on and off the pitch so far.

“Tyler has immediately adapted to being part of the Durham family. She’s so exciting in pre season and training she’s been electric. She brings a lot of experience having joined from Blackburn Rovers”.

Southampton

Southampton defender Tara Bourne has set her sights high this season.

“I like to reflect on the season thats gone and look forward, I want to win and develop and play. If you focus on you then the wider team helps itself out and help the club get clean sheets and bag a few goals as well.”

Bourne bagged a few headed goals and assists when she was back at Sheffield United and is looking to transfer that to Southampton this season.

“Maybe a few headers and some free kicks. I’m excited to see how I can help. Last season was disappointing as a team but it’s only potential until you do something with it. The end goal is to finish as high as we can and hopefully be in one of those top three spots.”

The team spirit is alive in this Southampton squad, having watched the Euros together from a teammate’s pub. England’s triumph helped them bond made it a special moment to absorb for themselves.

Southampton player to watch: Bourne outlined someone who has impressed in training.

“Emma Harries has lit up training, I know her from playing in the England setup together and will be a goalscorer for us so someone to look out for.”

Sunderland

Exciting forward Katy Watson has plenty to aim for in the season ahead.

“We’ve been in since the start of July and I want to get minutes on the pitch with goals and assists. The club have said we don’t want to pile on the pressure but the mentality is to help each other as a team, try and recreate previous years of success where we’ve nearly won the league but actually do it this time.”

The matches will come thick and fast in the season but one standout fixture for Watson is Newcastle away.

“Walking out at St James’ Park against Newcastle will be a goosebumps moment. My parents try to come to every match but there’s no way I’ll be waving to them in the crowd there.”

Sunderland player to watch: Someone Watson outlined as a player she’s on the same wavelength as, is teammate Katy Kitching.

“Kitching is so good, she can run for days. I love playing alongside her because we know what each other is going to do next and are on the same wavelength. I can’t wait to see what we can do”.

There is no doubt this WSL 2 is going to be electric. Big name signings and a determination similar to that the Lionesses showed this summer to get every point on the board. Be sure to get down to your local side when you can this season and look out for the star players mentioned above. Tickets are available via official club websites.