Beard Report: "We Were Lucky To Get A Point To Be Blunt And Honest"

Today at 04:30 AM

The Liverpool FC Women's team manager did not mince his words after his side put forth a disappointing display against Crystal Palace.

The Liverpool FC Women had fairly high expectations for themselves entering this season. On the heels of finishing a surprising fourth in the able last summer, and keeping the core of the squad together, manager Matt Beard and his side want to be challenging for Europe. Instead, the side has struggled through the opening five matches, registering just one win and three draws against sides that Liverpool would be expected to be the favorites in. The most recent draw came on Sunday against newly promoted Crystal Palace. After the match, manager Beard was not happy at all with the performance, especially the work rate.

"Disappointed. I feel Palace wanted it more, we were lucky to get a point to be blunt and honest. I think Palace deserved to take all three. I just said to the team after the game, we were pulling out of tackles. I can forgive misplaced passes, I can forgive mistakes but what I can't forgive is obviously the work-rate and that's something that if you're going to win any football match, you've got to have that in abundance and we just didn't have that today. We just weren't brave enough and I think we were lucky in the end."

While the day itself was frustrating, there were some positives on the injury front as key players Grace Fisk and Ceri Holland were fit enough to come on as substitutes in the second half. Leanne Kiernan also had an impact after being thrown on at the half.

"Yeah, we have been hit hard with the injuries that we've had this year. That's frustrating. But it's great that we were able to make those changes. I thought Leanne [Kiernan] had a good impact when she came on. As much as it's a frustrating afternoon and we were lucky to get a point today, there's still positives to take from obviously personnel coming back in."

The players and coaches will now have a chance for a mental reset as the clubs hit an international break. For Beard, he would like for more time to work with the players after a disjointed preseason, but most of the squad will be out on international duty.

"I think we've had good chances today, obviously Smithy hitting the post and Kappy's was a great finish. The international break has come at the right time. I thought Fisky [Grace Fisk] made a difference when she came on. But I think we've only got five players [not on international duty] so it's difficult. We just want the players to come back fit and healthy and obviously we can address this when we're back from international duty."

Over all, Beard is pretty frustrated with the opening series of matches his club has played. He and the coaching staff will take the international break to try and formulate a plan to get things on track.

"No [we're not pleased]. We've drawn games that we should have won and obviously we have picked up one or two injuries along the way. So it has been frustrating. We just need to review the first part of the season and then, as we always do, we'll try to put things right."