Carly Davies Focused on FAWNL Cup Final After Derby Win

Nottingham Forest Women’s manager Carly Davies reflected on her side’s hard-fought victory over Derby County but made it clear that her focus has already shifted to Sunday’s FAWNL Cup final. With silverware on the line, she emphasised the fierce competition within her squad and the importance of maintaining high standards in preparation for their clash against Stoke City.

A Solid Derby Victory

After Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 win over their East Midlands rivals, Davies admitted it wasn’t her team’s most polished performance. However, she praised their ability to secure the result, highlighting the team’s strong mentality and determination to win even when not at their best.

“We wanted to start the game bright, and I think we did that in the first ten minutes,” Davies said, reflecting on the team’s early intensity. “We really came out of the blocks and created a good few chances, but arguably, we should have been at least a goal ahead.”

Despite the promising start, Forest’s momentum wavered at times, with Davies acknowledging areas that needed improvement. “I think we were a little bit sloppy at times. It wasn’t our best performance,” she admitted. “That said, when we’re not at our best and we can still put the ball in the back of the net twice and keep a clean sheet, it shows where this group is at.”

Her comments underline the high standards within the squad, where even a winning performance is analysed critically to ensure continuous improvement.

Looking Ahead to the Final

With the cup final fast approaching, Davies dismissed any suggestions that her line-up or tactical approach against Derby was influenced by Sunday’s big game. She insisted that every match is treated with the same level of importance, and her squad is well-conditioned to handle consecutive fixtures without compromising performance.

“We set up to win every game we play,” she stated firmly. “Of course, managing the players and their load is important, but we do a lot of work across the week to ensure our players can play back-to-back fixtures.”

Forest recently navigated a three-game week with minimal rotation, demonstrating the squad’s endurance and Davies’ trust in their preparation. She stressed that competition for places remains intense, driving the team’s success.

“For us, it’s about earning the right to pull the shirt on every week,” she explained. “It’s fiercely competitive in our squad right now.”

That competition has been evident throughout the season, and Davies is pleased to see players stepping up in crucial moments. “Some of the girls who came off the bench today made a really positive impact, and they know they’ve got to be at it all the time to get a starting shirt,” she added. “That’ll be the message: every position is up for grabs. The girls will be working hard, and they all want to start that final.”

A Personal Connection to the Final

Sunday’s final carries extra significance for Davies, as Birmingham is where her football journey began. Born in the city and having played for Aston Villa, she is no stranger to the Bescot stadium, where the final will take place.

“Obviously, Birmingham is my home city. It’s familiar,” she said. “When I was at Villa, we played at the Bescot as well, so that stadium is familiar to me. But that means nothing.”

Despite the personal ties, Davies is treating this match like any other, recognising that form and past encounters will count for little when silverware is on the line. “It’s a final, and anything can happen on the day,” she stated. “It doesn’t matter that we’ve beaten them twice this season, it’s a one-off game. They’re going to want to win it.”

She also acknowledged the strength of the opposition and the leadership of Birmingham’s manager, Marie Hourihan, whose wealth of experience makes her a formidable opponent. “Marie is a winner,” Davies said. “She had a great football career, and she’ll want to take home some silverware this year. We’re going to have to be at our very best, we’ll have to be prepared, as we always will be, and we’ll look forward to hopefully putting on a good display for the fans.”

Appreciating the Journey

With Forest still unbeaten this season and in contention for both the league title and the FAWNL Cup, Davies took a moment to reflect on how far her squad has come.

“I think sometimes we get so fixated on one game at a time and possibly the end goal that we forget to stop and look at what we’ve achieved,” she admitted. “When you look at where we are, four league games to go, a cup final to look forward to, still unbeaten, we’re on the right path.”

Her message to herself and her players is clear: take pride in the progress made and embrace the challenge ahead.

“I think just looking back and appreciating what we’ve achieved as a collective is really important,” she emphasised. “That would definitely be the message; to enjoy the journey.”

With Nottingham Forest on the brink of silverware and a potential league triumph, Davies and her squad will be hoping Sunday’s final serves as another defining moment in what has already been a remarkable season.

You can buy tickets for the FAWNL Cup Final on Saturday 22nd March 2025 here.