Let's start with the 1st WSL 1 signing of February and that was the announcement from Liverpool Ladies that they had signed Lucy Staniforth from Bristol Academy. A very good young English midfield player with a good set piece in her locker, just returning from a long term absence from the game with an ACL injury we all know what happened next was struck with the most terrible thing that could happen she injured the other knee again ACL and is once more sidelined, wish her the very best in her recovery and she will hopefully make a full recovery and come back stronger.
On that same day Everton Ladies the quietest WSL 1 club on the transfer front brought in to young and promising players in goalkeeper Megan Walsh from Aston Villa along with Gabrielle George a central defender who I'd seen play recently at the U17's Euro's promising talent a defender comfortable on the ball one to look out for in the future no doubt.
Two days later the rumours were confirmed as Izzy Christiansen became a Manchester City player having left Birmingham. A very talented forward player sure Birmingham would have loved to have kept her but will be a huge asset for the new entrants to WSL 1.
Arsenel Ladies had seen a raft of experienced players leave the club the squad needed some depth and Shelley Kerr brought in two World Cup Winners from Japan the attacked minded Shinobu Ohno and the experienced defender Yukari Kinga, both with vast experience they will be big players for Arsenal and the game in England but will need time to settle in.
Bristol Academy having gotten their manager sorted out have made 3 signings after getting most of last season's runner-up team to stay. Brought in midfielder Sophie Ingle from Chelsea and defender Frankie Brown from Hibernian. The key position to fill was that of goalkeeper having lost the experienced Siobhan Chamberlain to Arsenal. Birmingham put out a statement that Mary Earps was leaving to find a new challenge it was no surprise she popped up in Bristol, having just gotten a call up into the senior England side though she is amongst a host of young goalkeeping talents new manager Mark Sampson will be keeping an eye on.
Notts County Ladies has it seems done all their business but as from the last entry they were very busy. Birmingham City Ladies have gone down a different path by investing in youth added to this policy by signing a very bright talent in Meaghan Sargeant whom had left Lincoln at the end of the WSL 2013 campaign had formed an good partnership in defence with the U19's last summer with Birmingham's Aoife Mannion.
That leaves Chelsea and they are left till last because they left it late having today announced the signing of 22-year-old Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler as competition for Marie Hourihan. Chelsea have also brought in Jackie Groenen from FCR 2001 Duisburg the Belgian a very talented attack minded player.
Going to save WSL 2 for a separate post because there's a lot to discuss...
Predictions?
I know this is what you've been waiting for so here goes....
Yes... you could put all 8 teams in a HAT and draw them out as to make a prediction on how the final table will look, such has been the sheer amount of transfer activity and changes at clubs rebrandings to new teams rafts of departures and likewise arrivals It will take a few games for a lot of teams to settle down get used to the league and their new team mates, new venues and new fan bases more than half the clubs are under extreme pressure to do not just ok but very well indeed. Results will be unpredictable can't empthasize how important a good start is points on the board, playing catch up with just 14 games to play with will be tough.
That said we can all speculate and have an opinion... and most of you know I have one of those! One thing I like to do is select what I think is a teams strongest XI then 3 subs so you can see why I needed this transfer window to settle down at one point one team didn't even have XI but that's all changed now. I do think Liverpool Ladies will be the team to beat this season have a settled squad Lucy Staniforth's time to make an impact will come for the title holders they had a 2nd blow in ACL's though as German Nicole Rosler did her's and is out long term a star player she will be missed.
I still think they have enough to retain the title.... behind them is where it get's interesting... so here goes...
Liverpool
Arsenal
Chelsea
Bristol
Birmingham
Notts County
Everton
Manchester City
Of course positions 2-8 could be upside down will as I say depend on a teams start will be a scramble lot's of factors to put into the mix, Manchester Cities inexperience at the top level against Everton's long standing history at the top level. Notts County's bold new team are they under pressure to do well? Can Bristol repeat last years great performance in challenging for the title right till the final day. Birmingham's youthful approach can play without fear or expectation. Will Arsenal's emerge from their transitional period quick enough or will Chelsea and their big name stars gel quicker and find their feet. Lot's a find out over the coming months and we'll find out soon enough can't wait for WSL 2014 to begin.
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