The Race Continues
As SWPL 1 moves into the second quarter of the season, we are taking stock of the three tightly contested races that are ongoing and how each team is performing in those so far.
After derby weekend, the SWPL table remains as tight as ever with the reigning champions sat all the way down in fifth, a three way fight breaking out for 6th, and a relegation battle that threatens to break the hearts of more than one serious competitor. No matter how much we shake the proverbial sands of the SWPL, the teams just refuse to stratify (geology reference for all you rock heads).
With a big round of fixtures consigned to the history books, let’s take stock of where we are.
The Title (and UWCL) Race
So, the top of the table. There are two things clubs are fighting for here: the title, and access to the Champions League. For Hibernian and Hearts, there is also a matter of pride and reputation if either (or both) can split last season’s top three.
At the very top, Glasgow City have been the unproblematic queens of the season and yet, they are only clear by a single point. Leanne Ross’ side have only lost once this season way back on matchday two. Conceding a penalty to grant Celtic a 1-0 win, although City were by far the more threatening side racking up 17 shots without finding the decisive goal. Since then they have only dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Ibrox, again a game they could have taken more from but a show of strength from the record champions.
A point behind them are Rangers who, despite their unbeaten league position, will feel they haven’t quite performed to their usual high standards. A tough Champions League qualifying campaign saw them bruised by Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, and three league draws have followed. Both Glasgow City and Hibernian will be disappointed to not have taken wins in those while Rangers will be annoyed themselves not to hold on to a two goal lead against rivals Celtic. Their back three supported by traditional wingers at wing back hasn’t hit the same way as it did last season, and while MacLean and Cornet were out injured they struggled to impose themselves in midfield. Recently there has been a shift to a back four which looks more comfortable, although very new so it’s hard to know for sure whether it will stay long term.
The Edinburgh clubs follow them in the table, Hearts sit four off the top spot as Eva Olid’s side build on the progress of the last few seasons while Hibernian are four away from UWCL qualification in Grant Scott’s journey to return the club to the top. There hasn’t been a great deal of change for Hearts as they continue the impressive style of play that Olid has become synonymous with, however, strong summer recruitment has bolstered their ability to do so. Notably Broadrick, Shore, and Hutchison arrived from Aberdeen while they also brought Lauren Wade and Kerry Beattie back to the league. Paired with the emergence of the Husband twins in defence and you’ve got a squad that is extremely talented, and deep enough to cope with the SWPL schedule.
Across the city Hibernian are moving in a similar mould, last season saw them go toe to toe with the big three on a number of occasions - including that dramatic final game decided by a last minute winner. But, they struggled for consistency and reacted to that by bringing in some more experienced heads in the summer. Kirsten Reilly returned to the club, Ciara Grant made the switch from Hearts, and Stacey Papadopolous arrived from a land down under. Scott has spoken about taking a more ‘win now’ approach to recruitment with a strong core of talented young players already at his disposal. They have taken points off of all but Glasgow City above them, something they will be itching to change when the leaders visit Meadowbank in January. A structured 4-2-3-1 has allowed them to impose themselves in midfield while providing defensive cover for Lawson and Hunter, Eilidh Adams and Kathleen McGovern sharing the duties up front, scoring 26 between them so far.
Finally, in the uncomfortable position of fifth, is Celtic. Fortunately for Sadiku the issue to fix is clear, their best chances aren’t falling to their forwards. They have scored the fewest goals of the top five, and the attackers are well off the pace in the scoring charts. Noonan is their top scorer with nine (compared to Wilkinson’s 20, or Adams’ 15) and those have mostly come in spells with the Ireland international often finding herself starting from the bench. Cross and Gallacher amassing the most appearances of the forward line (both on twelve) but only accounting for eight goals between them. The 25 that Gallacher scored last season a distant memory as she sits on just three goals as we head into winter. Sadiku’s 3-4-3, so far, has seen the front three drifting in games and the key chances falling to the wing backs as they fill the space the forwards should be in. Not an ideal situation, but in theory an easy fix.
Fighting for Sixth
Sixth may not sound that glamorous, but, top half status come the split is a real achievement for the clubs aiming for it. For Motherwell and Spartans it is a sign of progress, that they are moving in the right direction. While Partick Thistle are looking to complete a third successful top half finish in a row to cement themselves as a side that belong amongst the biggest sides in the competition.
As it stands Motherwell have been the strongest out the gate, however, they are only one point clear and have failed to beat any of the sides that finished in the top half last season so far. The return of loanee striker Laura Berry will give them confidence that they can go on to change that over the course of the season. She has netted 12 for the season already, albeit some of those in a Rangers shirt, and is developing rapidly into one of the SWPL’s most dangerous forwards.
However, the fact that they have so far failed to beat Partick Thistle will be worrying as Brian Graham’s side chase closely behind. They have been in transition for much of his time in charge, firstly from SWPL 2 to SWPL 1, and now from scrappy underdogs to one of the teams many mark on their calendar as a tough test. With that has come a shift in the squad with a number of more technical players coming in to bolster their threat as they have more of the possession. This has seen a shift to a 4-2-3-1 with full backs that have more licence to join the attack than we have previously seen, and has left them a little vulnerable at times.
Currently the outside shot, and still not entirely clear of the relegation fight, are Spartans. They likely won’t have top six on this season’s goals, but for purely practical purposes a top six finish would guarantee safety which is likely the primary goal amidst impending reconstruction. Hannah Jordan has already hit a career high goal tally, as well as chipping in with a number of chances created, emerging as a real driving force in a young Spartans attack. As is to be expected in a team that includes a number of long time SWPL powerhouses, such as Robyn McCafferty, Rebecca Foote, Sarah Clelland, Tegan Browning, Alicia Yates, in the defensive third. They have been tough to score against, conceding fewer than Motherwell and almost half as much as the teams in the thick of the relegation fight below them.
At the Bottom
With three relegation spots in place this season there was always going to be a tense affair at the bottom of the table. No playoff to soften the blow either, nothing less than a ninth placed finish will secure safety and give teams another year in the top flight.
Last season’s playoff survivalists Dundee United have only amassed one point so far, although they have been close to picking up more it is a worrying position for the Tangerines. They sit six adrift with Suzy Shepherd adopting a risk-averse tactic that is leaving their attackers isolated and their defence standing on each other’s toes. They are a team that are clearly lacking confidence, and with the core of the side made up of very young players it is a tough test for them to turn that around before the January transfer window potentially allows them to recruit a few more experienced heads.
Ahead of them sit newly promoted Queen’s Park and last season’s surprise package Montrose. Both on seven points, four away from safety. This is where the three relegation spots looks especially tough as in a normal season they would both be fairly comfortably clear of the automatic drop and in a fight over avoiding the playoff. Both are facing a very similar, very difficult to solve problem, last season’s goalscorers are reverting to the mean. For Queen’s Park this is Ellie Kane, who has missed half of their games to date and they haven’t been able to recreate her attacking output a level up. For Montrose, Jade McLaren scored 11 last season which included a number of incredible strikes that she just hasn’t quite managed to find this year. She has still provided the playmaking ability, however, so the mighty Mo’ will be looking for her teammates (and the returning London Pollard) to fill in the gaps while she finds her range again.
Last, but not least, are Aberdeen. Sat safely in the comfort of ninth, four points clear of the drop, and boosted by the arrival of Scott Booth. Their season got off to a rough start as the squad and new manager Colin Bell didn’t gel in the way they had hoped. He left on the 19th of August after just two games and wasn’t replaced until Booth returned to the club he played for at the end of October. It will likely be the other side of Hogmanay by the time it is truly his side but, he comes with an earned reputation in the SWPL and a top six finish isn’t out of the question yet.
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