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HELEN Bleazard said the week in the build up to the Manchester City FA Cup tie was the “most chilled week” as she enjoyed the tactical challenge against a WSL side in City.
The Cherries set up in a different way to usual as they sought to defend deep against a side they knew would be able to dominate possession on Sunday.
Bournemouth, usually a possession side, had to adapt for the game and did well, although their opponents’ superior quality showed as they were clinical to win 6-0 and progress in the cup.
But Bleazard praised her side with how they had adapted and had absorbed the new tactical plan which they implemented.
She explained to the Daily Echo: “I'm quite a tactical coach and Craig [Trite, assistant coach] is the more technical coach, so I love analysis.
“I love all the prep work. I love trying to suss them out on what they could do and most games this season when we've got the analysis right, nothing we've come away from at halftime has been shocked by what they've set up.
Helen Bleazard (Image: Richard Crease)
“And that just shows today as well. We knew that a lot of their wingers would roll inside and that's why we had that extra defender, because their full backs would be high and that's where we could get that space on the counter going beyond.
“We were trying to isolate two vs two as much as possible and we thought that's going to be our threat with our pace in behind, and it was just about that quality.
“But, yeah, I mean, I've enjoyed it so much.
“Everyone's been asking me how nervous I am and I'm like, it's the most chilled week I've had because every week we're the ones under pressure and it's nice for them to have the pressure and we just go in and execute our game plan and see where we're at.”