Around the grounds: Siemsen tips new Sky Blues for success, Reds’ time is now says Holmes

‘Keep an eye out’ was the message as Sydney FC’s star striker Remy Siemsen tipped two new recruits for big things during the Westfield W-League 2020/21 campaign.

Siemsen grabbed a share of the 2019/20 Golden Boot after firing the Sky Blues to third place in the ladder with seven goals and the Manly junior is determined to repeat her efforts in the upcoming season, which kicks off on Sunday, 27 December.

The 21-year-old joined her teammates for their first training session of pre-season on Monday and was impressed with what she saw from off-season signings Clare Wheeler and Jada Whyman in their new jerseys.

Goalkeeper Whyman is the latest player to switch the Red and Black of Western Sydney Wanderers for Sky Blue, while Wheeler heads to the Harbour City after playing seven seasons in the colours of the Newcastle Jets.

“On Monday night we met the new girls most of whom I know very well as I have had the privilege of playing with many of them before with the Young Matildas,” Siemsen told sydneyfc.com.

“Keep an eye out for Clare Wheeler and Jada Whyman, they’re excellent players and even better people.

“I have no doubt they’ll have a successful season in Sky Blue.”



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LATEST UPDATES: All the player signings ahead of the Westfield W-League 2020/21 Season
SIGNING NEWS:
Westfield Matildas star Yallop among three new additions for Roar

Reds can seize the moment insists Holmes

Dylan Holmes believes Adelaide United’s moment to shine may have finally arrived during an off-season of change in the Westfield W-League.

While many of the Reds’ rivals adjust to major overhauls in their squads for the 2020/21 season, the 23-year-old midfielder insists the continuity in Adelaide’s youthful squad could give them a head start heading into the new campaign.

The only big change in the City of Churches is the promotion of Adrian Stenta to head coach but the upheaval is minimal as former boss Ivan Karlovic has moved into a Head of Women’s Football Operations role and Joe Mullen was announced as Stenta’s new assistant on Tuesday.

Adelaide fell a point short of reaching the promised land of the Finals Series for the first time in 2018/19 before taking a step back, finishing in eighth last time out, but Brazilian-born Holmes feels the Reds’ time could be now.

“I think we have the advantage of having such a young core group that’s been together for the last two or three years that really knows how to play together,” Holmes told adelaideunited.com.au.

“So I think last year we got some really good confidence even though we didn’t win as many games as we wanted to there were games that we probably should’ve won if we had of taken our chances.

“So I think that gives us belief that we’re capable of doing it and we do have the players, especially the South Australian girls that can play at this level and do well, so I think we need to take that into this season and really push on.”

SIGNING NEWS: Heyman back in the Westfield W-League with Canberra United
ANNOUNCEMENT: Start date confirmed for the A-League and Westfield W-League