Talking Points
Sunderland Women welcome Charlton Athletic Women to Eppleton in their final home fixture of the season on Sunday afternoon with both sides battling for the Barclays Championship title.
Mel Reay spoke to the media ahead of the big game...
On the feeling within the camp...
“The team is in good spirits, and we can't wait to get the game played on Sunday. We watched the results come in last week and the picture stays the same, so we know what we have to do.
“People expect us to go on and win two games and we know that we've put ourselves in that position and we like the feel of it.
“This is where we want to be and all we have to do is go and put in a good performance and get a positive result twice and then we've done it.
“We are quite relaxed about the position that we're in.”
On Sunday’s opponents...
“I think we are a very similar side to Charlton, they have got an abundance of talent in their squad, and they have conceded the same number of goals as us.
“They have also scored pretty much the same number of goals as us, it's going to be a tight game and there is not going to be much in it.
“It's about winning our individual battles on the pitch, and if we can do that then we'll get a good result.”
Head Coach on the supporter's influence...
“I think it's really important, the atmosphere over the last couple of weeks has been fantastic at Eppleton and we know these London teams don't like coming up north.
“We need the atmosphere to be loud and we need all the Sunderland fans to fill the ground and really cheer on the players.
“We play well in front of a big crowd and the players want to put on a good show so hopefully they can get right behind them.”
On Grace McCatty’s retirement...
“I remember taking a phone call from Grace and she wanted to come here because she believed in the vision.
“The vision was to get back to the Super League and six years later we're on the verge of doing that and what a way for Grace to bow out of her career if we can win the next two games.
“It’s a little bit of added incentive for the squad to do it for her as well. She’s a true role model, being a great leader and has helped pave the way for the youngsters in the squad.”