‘You can’t take anyone for granted’ – Consistency key for Bristol City says Rodgers | OneFootball

Bristol City midfielder Amy Rodgers says that the most consistent team will win the Barclays Women’s Championship title this season.

The Robins return to the second tier in 2024/2025 after spending one season in the Barclays Women’s Super League. The club will be aiming to bounce back from last season’s relegation at the first attempt.

When speaking in a Barclays Women’s Championship media event, Bristol City midfielder Rodgers said that she expects a competitive title race and that consistency will be key in any promotion push.

“The league is so competitive, there’s not going to be one team [that runs away with it] no more which was often the case in the past,” Rodgers said.

“There were so many teams in with a chance last year that fell away because they lost games where you’d think they’d be easier wins. That’s the league, you can’t take anyone for granted and those teams that do take those easier games for granted is where they fall.

“The team that can be the most consistent will always win the league. I do think that’s so important. Can you go and get the win at Durham when it’s freezing, windy and rainy? That’s where it’s won and lost.”

Despite losing the services of head coach Lauren Smith earlier this week, Bristol City will still be viewed as one of the promotion favourites. Rodgers knows that promotion is the target but the Bristol City squad will be taking each game as it comes.

She said “Promotion is obviously the aim and we are happy to speak about it but we want to put the work in week in, week out and take each game as it comes.

“If we are in a promotion battle, we are in a promotion battle; that’s definitely the aim of the club and for us as a group.”

In spells with Liverpool, London City Lionesses and Bristol City, Rodgers has racked up 80 consecutive appearances in league competition. Should she stay fit and in form, the midfielder could hit the 100 mark this season, an astonishing achievement for any player. Looking back on her 80-game run, Rodgers admits that she is just grateful to have had the opportunity to feature in every game.

She said “I don’t want to jinx it but I’m really grateful to be honest. A big part of being in this career is staying fit, it’s something that causes me and a lot of players anxieties, it’s so important.

“I’m so grateful to have been fit and to have been given the chance to play in all of the games. I’ve worked hard to earn it at times but I’m just grateful to have this career. To be fit for that many games in a row and play them is a really nice feeling.”

Bristol City kick-off the new Barclays Women’s Championship season with a fixture at Southampton on Sunday 8 September 2024.