Jordan Nobbs has backed club-mate Beth Mead to continue her goal glut as ruthless England keep turning the screw at the Euros.
Arsenal star Mead struck five goals in the Lionesses’ three group games to help fire Sarina Wiegman’s team into the quarter-finals. And Nobbs, who is missing the tournament through injury, knows that when her mate is in this kind of mood, anything is possible.
She said: “Beth has been in fantastic form — when she has the confidence she has now she can score goals for fun, assist, she has a great cross. And probably looking at both wings for England, you have Lauren Hemp on one side with her speed and obviously Beth has been performing on the other. You look at the bench as well and see the strength in depth and the changes they can make if they need to in the 60th or 70th minute. That has been a key part to the Lionesses creating chances.”
England’s strength in depth was highlighted again on Friday when, after thrashing Norway 8-0, they beat Northern Ireland 5-0. Nobbs added: “It’s one of their main strengths. They could have pretty much changed all their players against Northern Ireland and started with a new team and still been in a fantastic position.
"So Sarina has that luxury of having players off the bench and she is clearly doing a fantastic job of keeping them confident and ready to come on when they are needed. Three wins in three is the perfect start in the group, and just as games have gone on, they have got stronger.
"Playing Norway and getting that 8-0 win has really boosted their confidence, hopefully, leading into the quarter-finals. But they have had the perfect start, really."
The ease with which England saw off Norway and Northern Ireland opened the door for critics of the women’s game who say there’s too much of a disparity between the top teams and those not so blessed with talent. But Nobbs said: “Yes, when we watch the Euros, we like goals, but when it comes to that standard of football we would like to keep the goals down.
"The Norway one, if people know football, they would know that’s not a normal scoreline at any point we have ever played them. That was a one-off, a bad game from them and great game from the Lionesses.
"Overall, the competition is really good, really strong, and there are a lot of teams we could talk about in the quarter-finals which is going to be exciting and great football to watch.”
While keeping an eye on her pals, Nobbs is also taking part in McDonald’s Fun Football programme. She added: “Lately, we have been talking about grassroots football — you have the Lionesses and the WSL, who are trying to be good role models and good to watch, but then how is that whole bubble connecting.
"And one of the main things is grassroots, we want the younger generation to have an easier way of playing than we did and obviously the McDonald’s programme is offering one million children access to free football over the next four years. When people like that are getting on board and allowing that access and opportunity, it’s just incredible.
"Along with that, they are investing in more coaches and when we have those extra little percentages helping the game it is only going to be better in the long run for women’s football.”
Jordan Nobbs is an ambassador for McDonald's Fun Football, the UK’s biggest free participation programme giving one million children access to FREE football over the next four years. Visit McDonalds.co.uk/Football
