Wensdi pt2: Think this bit deserved its own

In other news, there is a mention for Manchester City Women in the Independent. The Blues kick-off their FA Women's Super League season tomorrow night against Liverpool Ladies and Robin Scott-Elliot is eager to see how the league newcomers fare against the reigning champions.

"It is a mouth-watering prospect," he proclaims. "Liverpool, the defending champions, hosting Manchester City – rich, ambitious and the envy of just about every team in the league. It is a fixture that has more than a ring of the men's game about it but on Thursday night marks City's debut in the Women's Super League (WSL).

"For the Football Association, the enthusiastic creators of the WSL whose new season kicks off tomorrow night, the arrival of the richest club in the land as a serious player in the women's game – and City insist they are in it for the long term – is a sizeable fillip.

"Steph Houghton was one of four England players recruited by City, joining from Arsenal, the dominant force in the women's game until Liverpool's transformation. The England captain was convinced to move by City's long-term plan and rejects the idea that City's introduction is anything but good for the game."

"A lot of people have seen it in a negative way – a big club coming in and trying to be the best straight away, but I can't see what's wrong with that," she said. "Ultimately, they want the game to go professional, so I don't really understand if these people are disagreeing with that.

"From a women's football side, it's good to see a club go: 'OK, we want to do this professionally, we want to be the best and to give you the best, give you the opportunity to try and play and improve yourself.' As a player, you want to thrive on that."

Scott-Elliot continues: "City have seven full-time players and 11 part-time, with the bulk of the squad made up of those who were competing in the old second tier last season.

"How [manager Nick] Cushing, who has never coached in the women's game before, having been moved across from City's youth set-up, moulds the two groups together will be key to whether his side can find immediate success against the likes of Liverpool, Bristol and Arsenal. City are, unsurprisingly, keen to dampen expectation."

"We are trying to build a new team," said Cushing. "It would be unrealistic to think we can go and roll teams over and win leagues. There is an expectation because of what our men's team have done. With our women's team we have to be realistic."

Here's hoping it will be a very productive 24 hours for our senior sides!

That's all for today. Check back to mcfc.co.uk tomorrow morning for the media's post-match analysis.