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<\/a><\/p>\n\n Birmingham City head coach Amy Merricks was proud of her side\u2019s efforts despite their 3-1 defeat to champions Manchester City on the opening day of the new Barclays Women\u2019s Super League season.<\/p>\n
A brace from Khadija Shaw and a goal from Mary Fowler sent Manchester City on their way to three points at The Jois Stadium. Oc\u00e9ane Hurtr\u00e9 netted a consolation for Birmingham City in stoppage time.<\/p>\n
Despite the defeat, Birmingham City boss Merricks said that she was still really pleased with her side\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were so many encouraging signs and actually, a discussion at half-time was about having a bit more belief and positivity when we had the ball,\u201d Merricks said when speaking in the post-match press conference. \u201cI thought we got in some good areas and just lacked a bit of anticipation that we would get there. For me, that\u2019s just down to belief, that\u2019s not quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really pleased with the performance. Obviously, disappointed with the result, but it was always going to be really tough today. I just think the character of the team to keep going right to the end and get a goal back, it just shows what we have in abundance which will take us so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cDisappointed with the result, but we\u2019re really pleased with the platform that we\u2019ve given ourselves to build on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Merricks went on to say that her side\u2019s opening day experiences will only benefit them going forward.<\/p>\n
She said \u201cI really think that the lessons from today\u2019s game will just continue to help us improve and I think we\u2019ll just get sharper and sharper. Obviously, disappointing that we didn\u2019t get a result, but experiencing that in our first game today is massive because now we know exactly what we need to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can compete against Man City like that today, then in a few weeks\u2019 time, the ability and the leads that we will go to is really exciting, I think it shows great potential in the team that we have. We had a lot of young players that today was their debut in the WSL, so this was just a massive moment for the whole team, the whole club.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just really proud of everyone for the showing that they gave, they did not give up at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Birmingham City were backed by some excellent support in the away section at The Joie Stadium and Merricks shared her thoughts on what this backing means to her and the players.<\/p>\n
She said \u201c[It means] so much. We went to see them at the end and I\u2019m really pleased with the amount that turned out today. I hope there\u2019s a significant amount more next week when we\u2019re back at home and I know there will be.<\/p>\n
I could hear them as well. I think the team need their support, we need their support. They\u2019re fantastic. We\u2019re so lucky to have them. They\u2019ve obviously been on this whole journey with us. I\u2019m proud of them today as well because even right towards the end, I think they acknowledged the performance the team has put in and how tough it can be.<\/p>\n
\u201cMassive for us and I hope we see more of them next week at home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Birmingham City are back in Barclays Women\u2019s Super League action on Sunday when they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion at St. Andrew\u2019s @ Knighthead Park.<\/p>\n
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