Chelsea defender Hannah Blundell has backed her team-mates to bounce back in style in front of the BT Sport cameras this weekend and get their FA WSL title challenge back on track.
The Blues host high-flying Notts County at Staines on Sunday having lost their unbeaten record in the League following a 2-1 reverse at Birmingham City last weekend.
Blundell and Co. had previously impressed in all competitions, with the FA Women's Cup Semi-Final defeat by Arsenal their only previous blot on an otherwise impressive start to the campaign.
Chelsea v Notts County
FA WSL 1
12.45pm, Sunday 25 May
Wheatsheaf Park, Staines Town FC
Live on BT Sport
Tickets priced £3 children, £5 adults
And while Blundell, who turns 20 on Saturday, admits the loss in the Midlands was hard to take she insists Sunday's match is the perfect opportunity to get the Blues’ season back on track.
She said: "We are definitely disappointed with the result against Birmingham but we have just got to forget about it.
"We are working hard in training to put things right and it’s the perfect chance for us to bounce back.
"They are at up there at the top of the League so we have the chance to go and beat them and make a statement.
"To have only lost one game is good at this stage and we are confident that we can pick up a win going into the mid-season break."
Chelsea’s defeat at Birmingham came without the services of attacking duo Yuki Ogimi and Ji So-Yun who have been away at the AFC Women's Asian Cup, helping Japan and South Korea, respectively, qualify for next year's World Cup.
But with both set to return to the squad for Sunday’s 12.45pm kick-off Blundell, who has represented England at U20 and Under-23 level, believes Chelsea’s firepower means they have the ability to beat anyone in the division.
She explained: "We have had a lot of different scorers this season and that takes a lot of pressure off the strikers. We’ve got goals all over the pitch and that will cause Notts County problems that maybe they haven’t faced this season.
"We have Ji So-Yun back from the Asian Cup as well which will be a massive boost for us.
"I think we should have finished our chances against Birmingham and we will make sure we do that this week.
"We want to win the League or, at the very least, finish in the Champions League spots, and to do that we have to beat the big teams.
"I feel confident we can do that and everyone in the squad feels good and knows we can win."
Blues midfielder Claire Rafferty added: "After suffering our first loss against Arsenal, it was so important that we bounced back against Millwall in the League Cup.
"A good performance was really vital for the team morale and I think it has helped us get over the disappointing loss at the weekend. We are now looking forward to Sunday's game."
And Notts County's Canadian star Desiree Scott said: "It's very exciting to come up against a team like Chelsea and this game is going to be a challenge but one I know we are up for.
"Chelsea's squad has a mix of youth and experience and ours has a blend of internationals along with some youngsters coming together and finding that connection.
“I'm sure the match will definitely be a battle as both teams are working hard to get points. Being new to England I think it's so cool that we have the opportunity to play against big teams such as Chelsea and I'm excited for the match, for sure."
Tickets are priced £5 for adults and £3 for children
