Wardlaw wants return to winning ways return | OneFootball

Wardlaw, who's started all but one game under new manager Tanya Oxtoby and was the club's Sela Player of the Month for December, is beginning to establish her place within the squad and is thriving off her license to attack more this season.

United's number two has proven to be a versatile player since joining the club, but after hours of diligent analysis of her game, she’s heightened her senses to an attacking opportunity, while not sacrificing any of her tough-tackling nature.

"I've said it before, but I feel so comfortable in the team now, both on and off the pitch," Wardlaw told newcastleunited.com. "I think it's shown this season when I've been playing, I'm able to do my thing and focus on my football.

"It's good to be able to play in multiple positions, but I've really enjoyed getting a good run at right back this season and really cementing my role in the team.

"I've been going through a lot of my clips this season because I've wanted to get higher up the pitch, so to have two assists and help the team higher up is nice, but I've also looked to maintain my strong defensive side."

While Wardlaw has been happy with her role in the team so far, last Sunday's draw against Ipswich Town Women was a disappointing one, especially with United dominating proceedings for the majority of the game.

Setbacks are common in a league as competitive as WSL2, but they create opportunities to bounce back every week and Wardlaw and her teammates are determined to ensure they start to kill games off.

"I think that's been a bit of a theme for us recently, but we’re working hard as a team to remove that from our game and start picking up results," the Scotland under-23 international added.

"The whole feeling within the squad this week has been positive. We spent Tuesday, as a group, discussing how we can be better as a team, as individuals, and now it's been put to bed, with all eyes on Southampton."

Oxtoby's side currently sit sixth in the league, six points off the top three - albeit with one game in hand - and the aim has never been clearer heading into the final stretch of the season.

"We've still got the same goals and ambitions as we've had throughout the season; now it's about getting points on the board and putting our best foot forward," she said.

"We know that Sunday will be another tough away game, but we're focusing on ourselves and ensuring we're working as hard as we can to get the win."