For Lauren Smith the mission remains the same - stick to the principles and process and the results will come. It’s a method that led Bristol City to finish third in the Women’s Championship last season after a total overhaul and rebuild of the squad in the wake of relegation from the WSL.
However, that impressive restructuring and the consistency in which they remained in the higher echelons in the division, coupled with the relative calm of a “normal” pre-season this time around, means that expectations can only be significantly higher.
Whereas last year was about establishing a new culture and identity in the squad after what had been a sizeable reset, 12 months on Smith has a largely settled squad and one that knows their roles, as they prepare for their season opener at Coventry City today (kick-off:14:30).
