Lucy Staniforth believes the relaxed atmosphere and fearless attitude of England’s World Cup squad will be their key to success in France.
The 26-year-old midfielder rose to prominence earlier this year after scoring against Japan during England’s triumphant SheBelieves Cup campaign and has been named in Phil Neville’s World Cup squad.
Staniforth’s first major senior tournament will see her travel with the likes of experienced stars including Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Ellen White but despite their eminent success on the pitch, it is their approach off it that helps to strike the perfect balance.
Staniforth said: “From my very first day in the squad I felt like I had the manger’s confidence and support and that has allowed me to be the best version of myself.
“He [Neville] encourages us to bring our personalities to the table and that is exactly what a good squad needs.
“There are very experienced players, but we also have players coming in with very few caps and they are fearless and excited – that is exactly how I feel about the World Cup and that is how the other girls feel too.
“The group is so nice to be around because off the pitch there are some great characters, some really funny people and everyone is very chilled.
“These types of people are perfect for tournament football because there is a balance between having a laugh and working hard on the pitch.”
The Birmingham City star has just a handful of international appearances to her name and although she claimed the FA WSL title with Liverpool in 2014, victory at the SheBelieves Cup is the most recent and prominent jewel in her crown.
Staniforth’s gaze is now firmly fixed on this summer’s showpiece event.
England will play two more warm-up games - against Denmark at a sold-out Banks's Stadium in Walsall, and then New Zealand in Brighton - before the tournament starts and there is no question in the ambitious player’s mind about what the target needs to be for the squad in France.
“We have said all along that the pressure in this group comes from the inside and we don’t pay much attention to what is going on the outside,” she said.
“We have set our sights on winning the World Cup and becoming number one in the world, so we are fully aware of the pressure we are putting ourselves under and hopefully it brings the best out of us.
“The young players we have around the team are fearless and they are taking their opportunities with both hands now to show the world what they can do.
“To take players like that to the World Cup is perfect because it breeds within the team and although you have your level-heads that keep everyone on track it is the fearlessness that spirals.
“I had a funny feeling that I might score at the SheBelieves so hopefully I get that feeling again in France.
“The players in this team are unbelievable. If you look at the goal I scored against Japan, it is Jodie Taylor’s awareness to find me that makes it, and if I get the opportunity, hopefully I can do what the team needs and score goals.”
Tickets are still available for the final World Cup warm-up match, against New Zealand at the Amex Stadium on Saturday 1 June.
Tickets are priced at just £10 for adults and £1 for concessions.
TICKETS: ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND
The Lionesses have been drawn in Group D at France 2019 alongside Scotland, Argentina and 2011 winners Japan.
Their opening match is against Scotland in Nice on Sunday 9 June.
