Friday Ramble: Networking
Plus, I answer your questions
One person asked me at the start of the year when I announced I was starting Women's Football Chronicles how I would find the time to do that alongside writing for Sheffield United and my various other freelance work.
Bloody good question. I'm a person of routine, I hate not having a routine and not being busy. If I'm honest, I drifted into a malaise where writing was concerned before Substack. With no firm deadlines and a remit to write when I wanted, I actually grew to dislike it. Now I'm writing every day, pursuing interesting stories I'm passionate about and have found that love again. It's a great routine, but a busy one.
Case in point I am writing this on the way to Bristol (again!), but I love working on long journeys and there's loads of them in this job. When better than a four-hour journey to get some writing done?!
Lots of exciting stuff this week. I was really intrigued by the Champions League titles but sadly only got to watch two of them. I thought Arsenal were a tad unlucky but their lack of cutting edge bit them once again, while Chelsea put in a very professional performance.
Chelsea have bemused me this season. They're top of the league, look good to make both cup finals and might be finally about to knock Lyon out of Europe, yet it has often not clicked. Kadeisha Buchanan's struggle to adapt to new surroundings hasn't helped at the back, while the losses of Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder hasn't helped up front, yet here they are!
Speaking of Chelsea, they should have enough to reach the FA Cup final, but a consistently improving Aston Villa away probably wasn't top of Emma Hayes's list of potential draws in among their busy schedule, while Marc Skinner was probably pretty happy with his.
FIFA also launched the process for 2027 World Cup bids. God, I've only just started thinking about 2023. Flights. Hotels. This is one hell of an expensive trip. The flights alone to Sydney and back are double the budget I needed for Euro 2022 when I could come home to my own sofa after most games!
Like I said, travel is a huge part of this gig and Australia is a fantastic country, but I didn't need a reminder of another long haul trip in 2027 just yet FIFA!
I've been a busy bee in general this week and I'll be launching some new content for paid subscribers soon. People often ask for more tactical pieces in the women's game so I've come up with what I think is a great way to implement that into the content through a player's eye. I'll also be launching a 'Best XI' feature with retired ex-players, largely legends, and the first one we did this week was a hell of a player and she's put together a hell of a team, but it also offers a genuine unique insight from the player into her teammates and that's what this site is all about.
Networking is another huge part of this job. It was one big lesson I was taught at University and why - despite an irrational fear of public speaking - I'm doing a talk for students at Liverpool John Moores University next Friday. I think it's important to give back and I sat in several lectures as a student listening to writers come in, so it's a nice opportunity to do the same, even if it terrifies me!
It is huge though. I couldn't do this site without it. A lot of the time it can be very random. Just this week I got a call from a manager abroad to chat about England, how things are going, the structure here etc and also a message off a player outside Europe who was looking for opportunities. That actually happens a lot, from everywhere, and many times people you've never heard of, but it happens.
It does lead to amazing stories you'd have never known though. I got a message a few weeks ago off someone from England who launched their own women's team abroad and it's an incredibly unique story, so much so I pursued it and ended up on a Zoom call with six of their players earlier this week and despite having never heard of the team myself two weeks ago I can't wait to write the story. That's the beauty of women's football, there's so many stories people - even writers - don't know about.
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Answering your Questions
Claudia - Do you think the UK should make a bid for the 2027 WWC? Considering the success of the Euros, is hosting the world cup in 27 too soon or the perfect time to embrace the new growth?
It would be nice, but it seems the FA and the other UK FAs are putting their eggs in the basket of trying to get the 2030 World Cup and if not they are very likely to get Euro 2028, which logistically doesn't make sense to also try and host a tournament a year in advance.
It's a shame, but they probably didn't foresee the extra interest levels when these bids were put together as in the men's game in particular they happen years in advance, but I'd never rule out them doing it in the future given the interest here now. Maybe 2031!
Courtney - Roma doesn't have a game this weekend while Barcelona have to play Real. Do you think they have it in them to make a comeback?
It's an interesting dynamic to add to things. I'm sure Barcelona would love to have an easier game but there's also the reality they are so comfortable in Liga F they can rest players and even the loss of a derby I'm sure would be softened by another title and Champions League progression.
I wouldn't rule Roma out though. They are sturdy, tough, resilient and have a unique way of playing and I think they will push them, but it's hard to see Barcelona giving up a 1-0 lead at home.
What you missed
As ever, two big interviews were published on WFC this week, while I also looked at Arsenal’s signing of Jodie Taylor and Bayern Munich’s impressive defensive record.
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Jodie Taylor a no lose situation for both parties
Arsenal should be wary of Bayern Munich’s underappreciated backbone