NOBBS THE BUILDER – Can she (and Gautrat) fix it?

Newcastle: the WSL2 New Season Preview for the Lasses, as long-time and typically optimistic fan – and ‘Wor Bella’ playwright – Ed Waugh reads the runes…

Head Coach: Becky Langley has overseen the club’s progression from the third tier to the Championship, is looking to build on a WSL2 top five place last season and continue her side’s meteoric rise by achieving promotion to the WSL. While preparing for this season, she’s stated: “we have to keep building”.

New signings: Jordan Nobbs, Aoife Mannion, Jemma Purfield, Molly Pike, Małgorzata Grec – and now Morgan Gautrat.

Outlook: Seasoned midfielder Jordan Nobbs from Aston Villa is a huge statement of intent and the club’s biggest-ever signing. A multi-WSL league winner with Arsenal, who boasts 71 England caps, Nobbs is pivotal to this season’s progression – and they appear to be building the team around her…

And they’ve now added Morgan Gautrat, two time World Cup winner, from Orlando Pride, at least until the end of December. Previously at Kansas City Current and Chicago (Red) Stars, the 32-year-old midfielder brings a winning mentality and has already said she wants to be part of making history and leaving a legacy at Newcastle. The prospect of seeing Gautrat lining up alongside Nobbs must have not just Becky Langley, but all the Lasses fans licking their lips in expectation.

Adding even more valuable experience to the young and progressive squad are full-back Jemma Purfield, goalscoring midfielder Molly Pike, Ireland international defender Aoife Mannion, and Polish international centre back Malgorzata Grec.

Langley’s new-look team aim to continue her commitment to playing the attacking football that made Newcastle the joint highest-scoring team in the league last season. Moving to Gateshead International Stadium’s grass pitch also shows the club’s ambition to reach the WSL.

Will finish: Promotion