Midfielder Remi Allen says Birmingham City must put last season’s title heartbreak behind them – starting with their 2015 season opener against Manchester City on Sunday.
Allen and the Blues came so close to securing The FA WSL 1 crown in 2014 but they ended the season third, just a point behind eventual champions Liverpool.
Former Leicester, Leeds and Lincoln star Allen has spent the winter mulling over what might have been, but with the new WSL 1 campaign now in focus the 24-year-old admits the time has come to reset goals.
Birmingham v Man City
FA Women's Super League with BT Sport 1
2pm, Sunday 29 March
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And the former England Under-23 international claims the off-season additions of Freda Ayisi and Alex Windell could help them make a strong start against City.
She said: “Freda and Alex are two great additions to the team and they’ve settled it really well. It feels like they’ve been part of the team for much longer than just pre-season.
“Obviously we were really disappointed last season but now we’ve got to put that behind us and move on. We’ve got a strong squad and I’m just excited for the season to get going because I think it’s going to be really good.
“Manchester City have got a good squad and I expect them to do well this year. They’re going to be there or thereabouts not only this year but for years to come, so it will be a great way to start the season. Let’s hope we can get the three points.”
Both sides made a safe passage into the quarter-finals of The FA Women’s Cup and were drawn together for the last-eight clash, which will take place on Sunday 12 April.
However, City boss Nick Cushing admits he’s concerned with the here and now after making a slow start to the 2014 season.
Man City boss Nick Cushing
Cushing’s side lost their first three WSL 1 games last term but went on to recover well; finishing fifth and winning The FA WSL Continental Cup in their inaugural season.
But the City chief says he’s turned his attention to goals after netting just 13 times in 14 league games last year.
“We knew that we didn’t score enough goals so we have tried to bring in players that would rectify that,” said Cushing.
“Nikita Parris is a player who can score and we have Sarah Wiltshire, Toni Duggan and Natasha Flint.
"I think it’s really important to hit the ground running and Birmingham will want to do the same.
“But we take one game at a time and if we win then it isn’t perfection and if we lose it isn’t a catastrophe.
“There is going to be some ring rust but I think we are looking like a more consistent team and have definitely improved over the last year.
“So it will be good to get back into WSL action and that’s what we will work towards now and the squad is looking forward to it.”
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