Langley expecting 'really tough test' at City Ground | OneFootball

The Lasses travel to the City Ground to take on Carly Davies' Nottingham Forest Women and, after finishing fifth in the club's debut season at this level, Langley has brought in ten new faces this summer.

"We need to be going into every game, as Newcastle United, with the expectation of getting three points," Langley said in the build-up to the season's curtain-raiser.

"We have to go into this season with a mentality much like the men's team, who aim to be striving at the top of the league; we want to get the team to the highest level.

"I've still got the same enthusiasm as when I first joined the club to what I have now, and I feel just as passionate about winning games in WSL2 as I did back in tier four.

"I'm really proud of the journey I've been on and also very grateful for the people who have helped me along the way."

United will expect a tough encounter at the City Ground after last season's close 1-0 win over Forest in the Adobe Women's FA Cup at Kingston Park, but Langley is happy with how her side has gelled this summer.

Forest enter the league as winners of the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division and have made a big splash in the transfer market to try and achieve their goals in the league above.

"I expect it to be a really tough test," Langley admitted. "Yes, they're a team coming up from tier three, but with a lot of ambition, much like us last season.

"I think Forest have made some really good signings and Carly is a good manager and someone I'm friends with, and I expect them to do well this season.

"But we've got that year's experience at this level and made some really good signings this summer, and having the ability to work with these players is great for all of us."

The itch of a new campaign is real for Langley and the squad and United's manager can't wait for the season to get under way.

She isn't looking too much into last week's friendly defeat away to Bristol City Women, but instead talked up the importance of the club's recent 'culture day' at the Grainer Market.

"Some of our new players are living in a different country," she explained. "English is not their first language and trying to understand Geordie slang... I think throwing them into the Grainger Market and straight into the mix with all of the Geordies has helped them.

"Of course, we were disappointed to not get the win against Bristol City, but it's different. No matter how you dress it up, it is different because you don't have that do-or-die attitude of trying to pick up three points.

"I'm in the space now where I just want pre-season to end. We're excited to get that bus down to Nottingham and ensure we're in the best place possible come Sunday."