Women's Super League

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City have a chance to "write a different story", says manager Rick Passmoor amid risk of relegation from the Women's Super League.

The Foxes are seven points adrift of safety with three games remaining so must beat Arsenal in Wednesday's meeting (19:00 BST) to avoid finishing bottom.

However, there is no automatic relegation with the bottom WSL club set to meet the third-placed team from the WSL 2 in a play-off match for the first time.

"Everybody is working together in the direction we wish for. Can we see that through and ensure we keep a positive mentality together?" said Passmoor.

"Behind the scenes there are not many players that have been in this situation before so we need to remain united and focused on what we can achieve.

"There are always different headlines. Can we write a different story in these final three games?"

Leicester's opponents, European champions Arsenal, have not lost a league game since October and won the reverse fixture 4-1.

Renee Slegers' side are still in with a chance of winning the WSL title with three games in hand on leaders Manchester City, though it is out of their control.

Knowing what's at stake, Passmoor hopes his players can rise to the occasion and block out any noise of potential relegation.

"The pressure is from the outside. We have to focus on what we are good at to compete. We have a great opportunity to represent a terrific club," he added.

"We have hard-working staff and players. We can change the narrative and the story and enjoy this opportunity to play in these last three games.

"Everybody thought we would be in this position last summer with all the changes. But we're together and we're staying to our principles to get us over the line."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have added former England youth and Bristol City head coach Lauren Smith to their coaching staff.

The 34-year-old spent three years in charge of the Vixens, guiding Bristol City to the Women's Super League 2 title in 2022-23 before leaving after a season in the top flight.

She spent the next 18 months with England's youth teams, recently stepping up as interim head coach of the under-23 side and has now joined Andree Jeglertz's team at City.

"We're delighted to bring Lauren on board to help elevate the already excellent work Andree is overseeing," said director of football Therese Sjogran.

"Lauren is someone who has been admired by the club for some time so to now have her as part of the team is very exciting.

"For someone who is still so young and hungry to develop, she has already shown an excellent ability to get the best out of both established senior players and the next generation of talent."

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham manager Martin Ho wants to use this season to "build foundations" for a tilt at Women's Champions League qualification next season.

After a promising first half to the season, Tottenham have lost four in a row in all competitions to slip out of contention for a top-three spot.

Ho is targeting a strong end to the season starting on Sunday with a home game against the side immediately above them in the Women's Super League table, Manchester United.

"I don't come into any season just to take part," said Ho. "I want to make sure this club can be where it should be, competing for honours domestically and European honours, getting in those qualification spots.

"We know that's difficult because it's only three teams but this year gives us a really good opportunity to build foundations for where we want to go.

"I have no doubts next year we can be more competitive."

Meanwhile, up against his former side, Ho is expecting "a bit of bite and a bit of needle" at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

The two sides met twice in four days in December, United rescuing a point after being 3-0 down in the Women's Super League fixture, before beating Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-finals 72 hours later.

"It will be a competitive game and definitely one of high quality," he said. "Both teams possess really good qualities and really good players."

Ho also revealed Sweden defender Hanna Wijk will miss the final games of the season after picking up a knee injury on international duty.

"It's not an ACL so no headlines there," he said. "It's an MCL injury, so now she will get looked after by the club's medical team and be ready for pre-season."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham are "not focused on the mathematics" of their position in the Women's Super League table, says manager Rita Guarino.

They currently sit second bottom, four points above Leicester City, who have a game in hand.

With three games remaining for West Ham, they are yet to secure their safety in the WSL with the bottom club facing a play-off against the WSL 2's third-placed team.

Asked how much that lingers in the minds of the players before their WSL game against Liverpool on Sunday (14:00 BST), Guarino said: "We are very focused on things game by game and now we are looking at Liverpool to get points.

"We are not focused on the mathematics. At the end of the season, we will see where we will be. In this moment, we have to try to do our best to take points."

Uncertainty over their position in the league means Guarino says the club are also not thinking too far ahead in terms of recruitment and ambitions this summer.

"Honestly, we are very focused on the end of the season," she added. "Obviously we have ambition, like everyone else, so we look forward to the next things.

"But we need to stay in the league. The focus is on that."