Coombs: It’s down to us where we go from here | OneFootball

Laura Coombs says City’s destiny lies in our own hands, as Gareth Taylor’s side look to end the 2021/22 campaign with silverware.

City are in the midst of an impressive run of form having gone unbeaten since November while also winning six of our last seven matches in the process.

But a pivotal run of fixtures awaits in the coming weeks, including a cup semi-final, a crunch league trip to Chelsea and a Manchester Derby.

Ahead of a thrilling sequence of matches across the coming weeks, Coombs says the squad are in excellent spirits.

“Everyone’s good,” she told mancity.com. “We’re raring to go.

“We’ve had a great January so far. It’s been busy but we’ve come out of it with pretty much what we wanted, although we could have got an extra two points from the Arsenal game.

“We’re in a good spot. It’s a great month ahead – these are the months you really want to be involved in; what you’re here for.

“It’s a huge month – it could be defining in terms of where we finish and what we come out with at the end of the year.

“It’s down to us where we go from here. We’ve given ourselves a good opportunity to go for two cups and to progress in the league, so it’s really exciting.”

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Featuring in 16 games already this season, Coombs has become a regular name in Taylor’s starting XI with her technical ability, dedication and professional conduct earning regular praise from her Head Coach.

After waiting patiently for her opportunity, she has become an important figure in the squad and is thriving from that responsibility.

“I feel like I’m becoming a bigger influence on the team,” she admitted.

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“I try to focus in training on giving what the team needs and what Gaz is looking for to better myself.

“For me, it was about having that time. Last year, I got some gametime experience and this year, it’s been about pushing onto the next level.

“Now, it’s not just about experience – it’s about me putting my mark on the game with goals and assists – and that’s what I aim to do whenever I enter the pitch.

“I’m in a good place and I’m happy to have been getting back in to help the team, and it’s always nice when you hear you’re appreciated.”

City return to FA Cup action this weekend with a Fourth Round trip to Women's National League outfit Nottingham Forest – a side Coombs spent a short period with at youth level.

With the two teams never having met in professional competition, the midfielder says she is excited by the challenge of a new opponent with Taylor’s side seeking what would be a fourth FA Cup success.

“It’s going to be a good game,” she said. “I played there for a couple of games while I was really young and although I don’t know anyone there now, it will be nice to go back.

“Everyone is on the same page in terms of targets: we have two cups in our sights and that’s what we’re aiming for.

“It was a tough start for us. We had some huge players missing, a lot of new players and we have a specific way of playing. It takes some time to bed in but we’re in a better place now.

“Players have returned recently which has been a real boost in training and in terms of lifting morale. It’s just taken time, that’s all.

“Everyone is fighting for their spot on the pitch and it’s really showing in our results. It’s a big month and we’re really looking forward to it.”