Mary Earps says the FA WSL break has been of benefit to Bristol Academy, but her and her team-mates are now eager for the action to resume.
At the end of April Willie Kirk was named as the new manager of Bristol.
The former Hibernian chief made an immediate impact in his first game as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea Ladies v Bristol Academy
FA WSL 1
2pm, Sunday 12 July
Staines Town FC
Click here for FA WSL tickets
However, they were unable to kick on from that result as they look to climb off the foot of the WSL 1 table before league action took a break with the World Cup taking centre stage.
But according to Earps the enforced break from FA WSL 1 action allowing the bottom club to get used to their new manager’s way of thinking.
“We have been training with a higher intensity during the break,” she said.
“We had a tough start to the season, but our form picked up in the last two games and it is vital that we keep that going.
“The break gave us a good chance to regroup and put some work in on the training ground with the new manager.
Mary Earps says Bristol will go into Chelsea clash brimming with confidence
“We are all aware of the situation we find ourselves in, but we all believe in each other and know it is up to us to get out of this.
The league action returns on Sunday and Bristol are welcomed back with a bang as they travel to take on unbeaten league-leaders Chelsea.
But despite the daunting task lying in wait, goalkeeper Earps believes the extra time on the training ground could pay off dividends come Sunday.
“Chelsea are top of the table for a reason," she continued.
"They play good football and are picking up points because they are scoring goals.
"They have had a really good start, but I think we can cause them problems. There is no reason why we cannot score a few ourselves."
The worrying thing for Bristol is that Chelsea have strengthened in the break.
“The start to our season has been brilliant, and we hope to kick-start the second half with the same form”
Jodie Brett Chelsea Ladies
They have signed FA WSL 2 top-scorer Fran Kirby, and midfielder Jodie Brett is urging her fellow league-leaders to pick up where they left off.
“We’ve had a little bit of rest and recuperation and as we’ve had people away with the World Cup," said Brett.
"Hopefully we will get even more support because they’ve all done so well.
“The start to our season has been brilliant, and we hope to kick-start the second half with the same form.
“We’ve learned from what happened last year and everyone’d mindset is totally different now.
“Bristol have got a new manager so they are going to approach the next few months as a fresh start, but we’re going to have to make sure they don’t get off to a good start against us.”
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