⚽️ BETHAN ROE + LUCY O'BRIEN INTERVIEW | ITFC WOMEN V SOUTHAMPTON | Interview Special

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It'll be great to go out there and just sort of really just focus on ourselves

and go do what we do best and hopefully I can maybe at some point channel

and OB and then I'd love to score a goal at some point.

Hello and welcome to the Blue Monday podcast

for the seventh time.

ACFC Women's Star Lucio Bryan.

And for the first time, we've got two different ends of the podcast

difference spectrum, Beth and Row.

Welcome both.

We're here to talk about a massive game at Portman Road on Saturday.

We'll start Lucy with you because it's been a while.

We usually talk quite regularly as the stats prove.

But two big milestones since we last jatted.

100 appearances for the Blues

and Young Player of the Season as well.

And last season's End of Season Awards.

Are you doing okay?

Yeah, it's been really good.

Obviously had a really enjoyable season last season.

And yeah, we were really excited by the challenge this year.

We looked to hit the ground running.

And yeah, it has been a test so far.

But it's been a test that I think we've all enjoyed.

And I think, yeah, we're really happy to be playing at this level.

And yeah, really enjoying it so far.

I bet you're involved yesterday, a bit of a setback.

But 2026 for the girls has been really excellent so far.

Your first season in a town shirt as well.

How are you finding things?

Yeah, I've loved my journey so far.

I think coming in obviously new kind of what the expectations were.

And I think now you're seeing the development that we've gone on.

I think yesterday wasn't the result we wanted.

And probably wasn't the performance that we set up standards up.

But I mean, you see how we picked up in the last sort of five games.

I think yesterday just make sure we keep our feet on the ground.

And just sort of kind of like cement a little bit like where we're at and where we can still go.

And yeah, I've loved my journey so far.

And a great opportunity to set things right at Portman Road in front of a bumper crowd.

We'll of course hear to talk about that later on a little bit more.

Let's talk about 2026 so far.

I do have some stats for both of you as well.

This is I usually beth in a spoiler alert.

I chuck a start at Lucy to see if she knows how where she ranks in terms of that.

And then being a WSL 2 is so much more data available, which is which is brilliant.

We'll start with you Lucy.

In terms of your experience of WSL 2 so far, my impression is the kind of kind of player that you are.

You're going to be kicked whether you're in the FA Women's National League or the WSL 2.

That's been the cases.

Have you found that attention hard going?

You've made contributions but you are getting the usual attention from defenders aren't you?

Yeah, definitely.

I think you know the player that I am as you say who looks kind of dribble and drive and take players on.

I think, yeah, naturally I'm going to kind of draw fouls.

And I think this league is far more physical, you know, not just in terms of tackles but metrics, distance, run, etc.

So I think, yeah, it has been a physical test.

I've had my fair share of bumps and bruises but I think at the same time I'm fitter faster stronger now.

So yeah, it's only helping.

And in terms of the successful, this is where the starts come in.

There are three town players in the top 20 in the whole of the division for successful dribbles per game.

You are in there at number 17.

Lucy, did you know that first or foremost?

No, there you go.

So the dribbles are successful when there are many.

You had a few weeks out though due to injury, you back feeling 100% now?

Yeah, yeah, I'm feeling good.

I think, you know, as I just mentioned, you're never quite going to feel 100% in this league.

There's kind of, you know, always a couple of bruises or, you know, a few tight hand strings because of the distance you're running.

But yeah, I think it's only helping me, you know, develop as an athlete and you have to be quicker on the ball to avoid getting smacked.

So I think, yeah, it is just helping me.

So it's really positive thing.

And, and Bethan, I've got one very quick question which I posed to you when we first mentioned the sponsorship.

What, what position do you say?

I mean, you largely been left back having you this season, but you can play anywhere across the back line and in midfield as well.

What's your favourite role?

What's your favourite position?

Well, to be fair, I grew up playing as a striker.

Okay.

So, but as the years gone on, I slowly gone backwards.

No, I love fullback, played right side, mostly my career and obviously transitioned to left side.

I love the elements of attacking and defending.

But then yeah, I have quite enjoyed dipping into midfield a little bit here and there.

Did play center half last year, but probably not my forte as much.

But I think, yeah, fullback is where sort of my heart lies at the minute.

And I'll start for you.

The second most minutes played in the entire squad behind Natalia Negri this season so far.

Coming in, as I said, for your first hand season, it must be great to get minutes under the belt and make contributions throughout the season.

Yeah, most definitely.

I mean, if we'd probably taken the red card out, it would probably be a few more.

But yeah, no, I've really enjoyed my season so far.

I think I've learned a lot as a player.

And especially obviously under I see at the minute, he was also like a fullback.

So I'm sort of trying to.

Yeah, trying to be a sponge.

And I think it's also as you get older, the new generation coming through you can learn so much from as well.

I think sometimes it's that stigma that so the older you are, the more knowledge you have and you know sort of everything in a way.

But I mean, take OB, for example, she's teaching me every day and training.

So we have a lot of competition there, but I'm enjoying my journey so far and just learning and developing and seeing a whole different side of things.

I'll keep an lookout for you dropping the shoulder a little bit more.

That's a no Brian trademark.

It's kind of been three seasons in kind of one because Lucy, obviously you've had the experience of promotion with the girls from last season.

And, you know, the likes of Beth and another players coming in the summer.

A tough first start, you know, as we expected, WSL 2 was going to be tough.

And then January, nine players, is it a change in the dugout as Beth mentioned as well?

How have you found that transition through to where you're all that now?

Is it a lot of change to deal with, isn't it?

Yeah, and, you know, I think you can probably look at it from the outside and think that, you know, it's quite difficult and it's a recipe for disaster almost.

I think it's quite easy as a team when new players come in to just gel quite quickly.

You know, we spend five days a week together and sometimes do things on off day.

So I think naturally the bonds form quite quickly.

And then on the pitch, you know, we train four times a week playing games every Sunday.

So, yeah, I think the bonds do probably gel more quickly than other people might think.

And yeah, I think, you know, it is a big difference.

You look at kind of the squad now compared to this time last year.

And, you know, there has been a huge change.

But, yeah, I think it's helping to drive standards.

We've got much more competition.

You know, he'd look at the bench and there's depth everywhere.

So, yeah, it's just, it helps push the team and helps us to be better.

And some good consistency as well.

Obviously you're one of many familiar faces in the squad.

Lauren Phillips, too.

How important is that consistency also being to gel the players coming in?

Because you've had, as I mentioned, two waves of transfer business, 70.

We'll talk about the nine players coming in and January in a second and how they've settled into the group.

But, yeah, that consistency is also part of the footprint of what's been successful for us.

So it's important to keep, yeah, that consistency there, too, isn't it?

Yeah, definitely.

I think, you know, those of us who have been at the club now for a number of years,

some of us who have been here for five, six, seven years, I think, you know, we know what it's which is all about.

You know, it's got a special place in all of our hearts.

And I think that's really important to have that as well as kind of the new influx of players.

You know, we've got players that bleed blue as some might say.

So I think, yeah, that's really important, too.

That's the kind of stuff us podcasters and supporters love to hear.

And Beth, how did you find coming in in the summer?

And then as I say, you probably was one of the more kind of senior members of the squad now,

even though you've anything with the club for half a season,

how have you helped kind of integrate those nine players coming in in January?

Yeah, I mean, to be fair, when I come in obviously, I'd been at a club for five years.

So it was kind of completely new world to me stepping into a new club,

and experiencing like a lot first in a way.

But the girls agree.

I mean, transition didn't pretty quick.

They are just, they are, they show what the passion for the club is.

And I think that's something that us new players took on quite quickly.

And we wanted to make sure that now with new players coming in,

those players who have been here and sort of stuck the tough graft out,

we can produce that and give them the best chance and push this club forward.

And I think that's what you're seeing now, like with new players coming in,

it's them sort of showing us the foundations and us really trying to push that one.

Because half the squad at the start of the year were the ones that got us up.

And they put in the hard graft the hours over many years to get the club into this position.

So the owners was on us to come in and really help elevate them to continue to push this club forward.

And it's what this deserve, like the club has some of the best foundations.

And the players are showing that week and week out.

And it was on us to come in and continue with that.

But also try and elevate it and give sort of players like OB and people that have been here from the start,

that platform to express themselves and show that they can compete at this level.

And I think what you're seeing now with new players coming in is that you're starting to happen.

And those players are starting to step up to the play.

And I think it's such a privilege to come into a club like that and really try and elevate that process.

So you're geared up for this making tax digital thing.

Sure, I just need some new mudboards, bucket cavity tyres and a couple of little intals.

Hey, MTD met, digital taxes.

It's an extension down station road on the corner.

Dev, digital taxes met.

Yeah, yeah, probably we'll need some two before.

I want to go to set the ban in for a new fan belt squeaky.

Hey, making tax digital, Dev.

Avoiding MTD.

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Search Sage MTD to get your free software today.

This podcast is brought to you by Coral and they're here for the fans.

At the fan network, we have a mission to shake up the game we all love.

And that's why we parted with Coral who've been shaking things up too.

With their free-to-play reward shake up,

there are guaranteed rewards and exclusive offers to be won every single day.

Whether you're a part of the Badging Brigade, the away days or the football fashionistas,

Corals here for the fans.

Play Coral's reward shake and win bigger, guaranteed daily rewards and offers this season.

For over 18's only, maximum one reward or offer per player per day.

Reward restrictions and requirements and other T's and C's apply.

Visit gamblerware.org for more details.

Yeah, and even you mentioned the fitness levels, Lucy.

It was clear from me watching the difference to last season.

Even in January, there was a step up there as well.

I would guess that a new manager comes in.

Everyone works a lot harder.

There's always the cliche of, you do the yards.

The new manager comes in.

What's that bounce?

You work harder and all that kind of stuff.

But you could see that in the energy levels and the fitness levels.

But also there are resilience too.

And it's really impressive to see that.

And the unbeaten run, Lucy, that you've had in 2026 is testament to that.

And hopefully just a blip on Sunday.

But that gives us a really great platform for the rest of the season, doesn't it?

Yeah, I think it's really been positive since Christmas.

And actually even in the few weeks before Christmas.

You look at some of the results against Durham and Sunderland just before Christmas.

I think you could really see kind of the wheels start turning and everyone kind of heading in the right direction.

And yeah, I think the start of the season probably took us a bit by surprise.

I'm not surprised.

I think we knew what we were kind of coming into.

We knew the fitness was going to be a step up.

We knew it was going to be more demanding.

But I think there's only so much you can prepare.

And I think it naturally took us a while to probably catch up to the level.

And then I think the last few weeks, I think we've really kind of shown that we're, as you say, getting more resilient.

We're being able to compete later on in games and really grind out results.

And yeah, it's a really rewarding thing to see.

Yep.

And if we're going to, as I mentioned at the start, if we're going to bounce back, there's no better place to do that.

Paul Road.

I've got to come back and ask you, Lucy, about your experience at Portman Road because it's.

You've had very different experiences in the two games.

But Beth, in terms of your kind of expectations coming in, obviously the training ground redevelopment is a massive thing for all of the squad.

Have you, what's your expectations ahead of Portman Road?

Are you excited for this one? You've got to be.

Yeah, I'm super excited.

I've probably never played in front of a crowd bigger than what 2000, 3000.

So from previous games there, it's been quite a sellout anyway.

So yeah, I am super excited to see what it's going to be like.

It's probably going to be noisy and crazy.

But I'm also quite excited for us to kind of bounce back from the weekend.

And I think with the amount of people that so far looks like a comment, I think they could really get behind us as like the 12th player.

So yeah, I'm super excited.

The girls have said in previous years that it's been some of the best days they've had.

And I think it's nice to sort of come back to Ipswich.

Lucy Colchester's a bit of a way out.

So I think coming back to the heart of the club and really having as many fans as possible,

that is going to be super exciting.

And you're used to playing at the Valley, aren't you?

And you mentioned the crowds.

Not huge, but it's still really decent size.

And you're playing in a stadium that has hosted Premier League football not too long ago.

So you've got that experience.

How have you found cultures to just out of interest as well?

I'll ask Lucy the same question because she's got experience in Felix Stowe.

But it's not, you know, it's still a good number of people there.

Similar numbers to we're getting for the Stowe, but the drum and all that kind of stuff.

The noise. Is that caught you by surprise?

To be fair, I didn't really have an expectation of what crowds are going to be like.

Obviously, when I was a child and I played Ipswich at Felix Stowe.

And they had obviously quite a sell out then.

But coming to call just that first game I was quite surprised by thousand nearly 2000 people there.

I think it just emphasizes the fan base that this club has and the progression it can go on.

I think the drum is great.

It brings a lot of character and noise and a lot of laughter from some of us.

But I think it really just drives the crowd.

I think sometimes people don't realize how much of a difference that can make.

Especially when sometimes you're back against the wall in the game.

That sort of extra noise or bit of song somewhere here and there can really just drive us on.

So yeah, it's been a great experience having that and one I'm pleasantly surprised of.

Have you, have you clocked your child?

Yeah, your song.

I've heard a little bit here and there.

Okay.

I'm not going to burst into it now.

Don't worry about that.

Oh, I'm waiting for that.

Sorry.

Maybe we'll do that afterwards.

Lucy, yeah.

You're going to trajectory Felix Stowe.

Have you found Colchester?

I mean, we love Felix Stowe.

It's great.

But I'm imagining that a truer surface has been brilliant for you, isn't it?

Yeah.

I think there's been times in the past where maybe Felix Stowe has done just as good a job as.

Tackling me as the players have on the opposition team.

So yeah, I think the nice carpet grass is much appreciated.

And yeah, I think, you know, that Felix Stowe will maybe get in kind of an average of 600-700.

And since we've moved to Colchester, it has gone up a bit.

So I think that's really, that's really good.

And there's probably, you know, a bit more of a, yeah, it's a bit more.

It's exciting to go watching a stadium rather than at Felix Stowe.

So I suppose in that aspect, yeah, probably entices a few more fans.

But yeah, the fans are great.

The drums are great.

And, you know, when you're up against it, as Roe said, it really can be the 12th player.

And I think, you know, we've played it away against before where, you know,

the crowd just cheer everything and you kind of, you can't get out your box.

And, you know, it is, honestly, it's really difficult sometimes against a crowd as well as an opposition.

So I think, yeah, as Roe said, don't underestimate kind of how important that crowd can be.

And your experiences at Portman Road, a terried butcher style bandage needed when you went in

for a, like, a proper robust challenge, but just living the dream of people like me,

you scored in front of the Norse then after two minutes against Klimas Tellers about that.

Yeah, I think it's probably one of my most special moments.

You know, probably wasn't expecting to score that early.

I was hoping to get on the score sheet, but yeah, to do it so early kind of really settled the nerves.

And, yeah, the roar kind of, as it went in, and as I ran away to celebrate, yeah, I won't forget that.

Great moment.

And, betting like Southampton, obviously, actually, in the form table, I'm chucking more stats.

I've done proper research.

We're actually ahead of Southampton in the five game form table by point.

We kind of owe them one from the first day, don't we?

Of course, a bit cold, maybe.

It'd be great to have a Portman right in front of a big crowd and get a win, wouldn't it?

Yeah, definitely that first game, I think, was kind of an eye-opener a little bit.

This league and sort of the standard that you produce week and week out.

But I think the level that we've started to show, I think we've really started to sort of showcase our football and the stuff that we are good at.

And I think that game is probably going to be a great game to watch.

Obviously, we've got a lot to fight for, so do they.

So I think there'll be two good footballing teams.

And I think, yeah, hopefully, with the crowd behind us, we've got some sort of rights to wrong, wrong to write from this weekend.

So I think, yeah, it'll be great to go out there and just sort of really just focus on ourselves and go do what we do best.

And hopefully I can maybe at some point, channel and OB and then I'd love to score a goal at some point.

I was going to ask, have you got the celebration of mine for when it happens?

At least you did like it was Alan Alan Shira, the arms are out weren't they?

Yeah.

We do something a little more customized, I don't know.

Not really, to be fair, I think mine is usually the Alan Shira, like one of them.

Okay.

Get simple.

Not that I scored that many to be fair, but that would be a dream.

I've got to pitch in into you on Saturday, free kick.

I feel like free kick or have you nearly curled a corner in so far this season?

I seem to remember that nearly happening.

I'm not sure. I've done one in the past, but yeah.

I'm claiming an assist if it happens.

Okay.

Both of you.

Thank you so much for talking.

One final stat.

I just, just a shock.

You'll surprise you.

Where is it?

Tackles per game.

Top Trumps here, which of you rates higher in tackles per game this season?

You've played more minutes than me.

I would say you.

It's per game.

It's per game.

Okay.

Okay.

Then I probably would say you because I feel like you can win a ball back higher up.

I, I'd say you.

Because from one V1 experience in training, you're very good.

I would say.

And I've got the answer.

So I know the answer.

But I think you're more of an interceptor.

Maybe then a tackler, I would say blocks and interceptions.

Obes is in the whole of the league.

17th for tackles per game.

You're 18th for tackles per game.

So I found a nice stat where you break together.

And in the right order on camera.

I've done it properly.

So get the tackles in on Saturday.

Get those dribbles in.

And a goal each will be fantastic as well.

Delighted to celebrate both of those.

However, the game pans out.

Enjoy it.

Good luck for Saturday.

But most importantly, good luck for the rest of the season.

And thank you so much for chatting to us.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So, you're geared up for this making tax digital thing.

Sure.

I just need some new mud boards.

I've got to have it tied on a couple of little lentils.

Hey, NTD made digital taxes.

It's an extension down station road on the corner.

Dave, digital taxes made.

Yeah, yeah.

Probably we'll need some 2B4s.

I want to go and set the van in for a new fan belt squeaky.

Hey, making tax.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I probably will need some 2B4s.

I want to go and set the van in for a new fan belt squeaky.

Hey, making tax digital, Dave.

Avoiding NTD.

Sage makes tax simpler for sole traders.

Search SageMTD to get your free software today.

This podcast is brought to you by Coral.

And they're here for the fans.

At the fan network, we have a mission to shake up the game we all love.

And that's why we partnered with Coral.

We've been shaking things up too.

With their free-to-play reward shake up,

there are guaranteed rewards and exclusive offers to be won every single day.

Whether you're a part of the Badging Brigade,

the away-dayous or the football fashionistas,

Coral's here for the fans.

Play Coral's reward shake and win bigger,

guaranteed daily rewards and offers this season.

For over 18's only,

maximum one reward or offer per player per day.

Reward restrictions and requirements and other teas and seas apply.

Visit gambleware.org for more details.

This podcast is proud to be part of the TalkSport fan network.

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