COMPETITIVE – Welcome to WSL2, where anyone can beat anyone, Part 2
WSL2 is a ridiculously competitive league. Its strength and depth throughout makes it one of the most exciting leagues in the world. There is quality to be found in every team and every game.
There are no easy games and no nailed-on victories. Every point is fought for.
In Part 2, Clare McEwen previews Nottingham Forest to Wolves here.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST – AIMING HIGHER
Head coach: Tom Mallinson
Key players: Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Aimee Claypole – last season’s joint top scorers with 7 league goals each. Cerys Brown returns on a permanent deal after a loan spell. Brown spent four years at Chelsea before winning promotion with London City Lionesses. She’s also an England U23 international. Deanne Rose, Canadian international and voted the squad’s most valuable player last season.
Signings: Abbie Lafayette, Hannah Coan, Cerys Brown, Shania Hayles, Tuva Espås, Ilona Walta
Loans: Lois Shooter (Chelsea), Codie Thomas (Manchester City), Grace McEwen (Brighton), Katie Cox (Chelsea)
In their debut WSL2 season in 2025-26, Forest finished a very respectable seventh. Having consolidated their position in the league, they want to climb the table in this campaign.
Head coach Tom Mallinson only joined the team in May and now embarks on his first full season in charge.
During the media session, Freya Thomas refers to the tightness of the team and their togetherness, on several occasions. But what else can we expect from them?
What fans can expect from Forest this season?
I think similar to last year. There was always that passion and desire for us to provide the fans with what they wanted to see. And that’s always in our thoughts.
Every time we step out at the City Ground, they’re always there, they’re a great bunch of fans and we love them.
They always help us. They’re our twelfth man.
So they can expect similar, just with a lot more winning this season.
What, realistically, is the aim for the season?
It’s always a tough league. But I feel in the Championship [WSL2] anyone can beat anyone on their day.
So really, you’ve got to be on form every single game that you play, which is obviously mentally challenging.
The more we train as a group, we’re all on the same page already, which is brilliant.
We’ve still got more players to come in, which is exciting. So I think, keep working hard for now and see what happens.
But we’re all on the same page, we all want to win the league, and we’re all hoping to do that.
What are the new signings going to bring?
Do you know what, it feels like they’ve been here already. Every single year I’ve been at Forest, every player that comes in just settles into the group so easily.
And I feel like that’s credit to us, as girls who have been here, because it can be quite daunting.
The standards here are really good and high so people just feed into that from the get-go.
Everyone’s lovely that’s joined already. I know it’s very rare to say it but everybody just gets on with everyone and it’s special to have that at the club really.
Tell me a bit more about the culture around the team?
We’ve had a lot of conversations around what we want from the group and what we expect of each other.
Tom’s really nailed in on that because he thinks that’s important, which I completely agree with.
Like I said, we’ve always had a great culture, everyone just gets on with everyone.
Obviously, it’s women’s football, there’s going to be some kind of disagreements from time to time but the right disagreements rather than, you know, fallouts and stuff like that. Which is very rare.
It’s just special, it’s a special club to be at and a special group of girls. I’ve got a really good feeling.
Any fixtures you’re particularly looking forward to?
I’d say Newcastle at home. That’s always a good game.
Who’s the changing room DJ?
We have Rowie [Rachel Rowe] but we kind of have a playlist that everyone just adds to. So we put that on shuffle and then everyone can add what songs they want.
Very democratic!
Yeah, it’s got a mix of absolutely everything. There’s something for everyone.
Forest put in a solid shift in their first season in WSL2 – it’s not easy to stay up after winning promotion. With club investment, key signings, and a very together group, there’s no reason they can’t finish higher up the table. But as Thomas says, it’s a tough league and anyone can beat anyone – and everyone should be wary of Forest.
SHEFFIELD UNITED – TEAM BUILDING
Head coach: Stephen Healy
Key players: Striker Amy Andrews was the club’s Player of the Season last year and won WSL2 Goal of the Season with a chipped finish at Sunderland. A focal point in attack and their penalty taker. Charlie Devlin is a creative number 10 with a good relationship with Andrews. She’s involved with everything and their partnership could be the key to unlocking a better showing this season.
Signings: Chloe Warrington, Poppy Soper, Gracie Pearse, Maria Reynolds, Lucy Quinn
Loans: Halle Houssein (West Ham), Sophie Harwood (Arsenal)
Sheffield United will want to put last season behind them. A disappointing 11th place finish also saw them without a win for nine straight games. The Blades have plenty of quality but were unable to put it all together last season.
With fewer signings than many other clubs, they’ll be hoping that a combination of an established core with a few key signings will help them gel from the off. But September looks tough – an opener against Leicester City followed by Newcastle away is no way to ease yourself in.
New captain Mollie Rouse talks me through what to expect.
What can we expect from the team this season?
I think a lot of youth and potential that’s coming through. I think you can expect a lot of excitement with that.
I think compared to last year, we have a base from last year, but we all know we underformed compared to what we have on the pitch. So I think there’s going to be that point to prove from all of us and show the very aggressive team that we want to be.
Do you think fans are going to see something different?
Yeah, I think they’re going to see another step from what we were last season.
They’re going to see a lot more excitement in games from us. We want to be on the front foot. We want to scare teams.
There was a lot going on last year, change in management and things like that.
We’ve had a good base in pre-season and I hope it looks like a more together team.
What are the new signings going to bring?
In pre-season, they’ve brought so much to the table already. We’ve got such a mix.
We’ve got the experience from Lucy Quinn and then we’ve got youth from Maria [Reynolds]. We’ve got Chloe [Warrington] from Scotland. We’ve just got such a good mix of different people and they all bring different attributes to the pitch. But they’ve come in and fit in straight away.
So they’ll definitely be able to bring out their own personality on the pitch quite quickly because it’s already happened off the pitch.
That speaks of a good culture. How would you describe the culture in the dressing room?
Yeah, it’s definitely been something in the works. Again with the changes last season, it was a bit different.
But it was something we wanted to really focus on this season. We know how far a good culture in the team can take you. And that’s been a big focus of preseason and we really want to build on that and let it shine on the pitch.
What are the hopes for the team this season?
Promotion, Champions League, all that, you know [laughs].
I think it’s just about getting points out when we’ve actually performed. Last season, there were so many games we’ve come out of it and we’ve been the team on top for the majority of the game and then come away with one point or nothing. And that was really frustrating. We just couldn’t see out a 90-minute game.
So this season, it’s about building on that, trying to secure a good place in the league early on.
Obviously, we were in a bit of a relegation battle last year.
Yeah, getting out of the woodwork fast and building from that.
Is there anything specific you can do to train to play that 90 minutes and convert those?
It’s definitely a mindset thing. Obviously no one intentionally misplaces a pass or lets a goal in, and things like that. So it’s about having that 90 minutes switched on, focused, and as a team – individuals don’t cut it in the game of football.
I think it’s just being on the same page.
We came across a lot of adversity last season. So I think we did very well with all the chopping and changing. And it’s exciting that we actually feel that way rather than be like, oh, we just got there, thank God, or we couldn’t do it. So it’s just exciting times.
So there’s a certain amount of resilience that’s moulded you together?
Yeah, exactly that. I think hard times sometimes do just bring a team together.
Any fixtures you’re particularly looking forward to?
Um, all of them [laughs]. No, I mean, we’ll start with the first one won’t we, Leicester at home.
It’s great to have a home game as your first game of the season and obviously they’ve come down into our league now so they’re gonna have a point to prove.
We want to do well at our home at Bramall Lane and that’s just an exciting game.
The main part is having it at home and being able to play in front of the fans.
Do you have a team DJ in the changing rooms?
You know what I love about this season so far, it’s chopped and changed. Sometimes you obviously have one person who’s the DJ, but so far we’ve had a lot of different people on it, which means different vibes of music and it’s been fab.
I think Maria’s [Reynolds] come in and she’s been the DJ a lot.
And then we have Ella Kinzett, Amy Andrews has been on there. I’ve been on it sometimes. Sian’s [Rogers] been on it. There’s been such a mix and then you’re like, okay, we’re not having the same song every day – this is great [laughs].
Despite their struggles last season, Sheffield United seem ready to step up. Aware of what needs to improve, they’re ready to find that togetherness and move forward as a team. As others have said, there’s no easy game in this league and if the Blades can stay focused for 90 minutes, they’ll bag more wins.
SOUTHAMPTON – FIRM FOUNDATIONS?
Head coach: Simon Parker
Key players: Central midfielder Mary Bashford finished as the club’s top scorer last campaign. Her eight goals helped her pick up both the Players’ Player and Coaches’ Player of the Season awards. Rachel Brown’s stoppage-time winner against Ipswich was voted the club’s Outstanding Moment of the Season. A moment worth celebrating even if you don’t factor in that the full-back had only very recently come back from an ACL injury.
Signings: Alina Santos, Libbi McInnes, Niamh Murphy, Grace Moloney, Laura Hughes, Freya Jupp
Loans: None
Last time out, Southampton had their best WSL2 season yet – a fifth place finish. Despite losing a chunk of players over the summer, including their two set-piece takers, they haven’t signed as many new faces as some clubs.
They’ve retained their core attacking threat, though, and Mary Bashford remains key if they’re going to retain their reputation as one of the best attacking sides in the division.
The message from the Saints seems to be one of continuity and consistency. Building on last season, doing the work, and trusting in the process.
No massive marquee signings, but a sprinkling of fresh talent, including young New Zealand international goalkeeper Alina Santos.
Having only officially signed a couple of weeks earlier – her first professional contract – Santos was thrown in at the deep end, chatting with me at the WSL2 media day. So here’s your chance to learn more about the young kiwi goalkeeper who I think will be one to watch in the future.
So how long have you been over here?
Two months now.
That’s pretty big! You look pretty relaxed and like you’re settling in well. How would you describe the culture in the dressing room so far?
I’d say it’s pretty similar to back home in New Zealand.
The weather’s obviously been quite nice in Southampton, so I can’t really talk about that too much. But yeah, I’d say it’s quite similar. It’s nice to be around people with good banter as well.
What brought you here? What was the motivation to join WSL2 and Southampton?
It’s a very competitive league, there’s a lot of great opportunities in the league.
Great teams, great fans.
And I knew a few of the staff from Southampton having worked with a couple of them in the past. I just think they’re amazing people and it’s a club with a lot of potential to really make it big.
I thought there’s really no better place.
And by the ocean, which is nice and the weather’s quite nice, so I can’t really go wrong. It’s a good area.
What do you hope to get out of this season, personally? First professional contract, moving country, it’s a big deal.
Just growing as a player and a person and being able to be around such amazing players, good staff and being part of an ever growing women’s football league.
It’s a great opportunity and experience. I’m really looking forward to it.
And yeah, having some fun.
[There’s quite the twinkle in Santos’ eye, I think she might have a mischievous streak.]
You look like you might have a few tricks up your sleeve when it comes to a changing room. Anything planned for when you’ve settled in a bit?
[Laughs] Uh, we’ll see, we’ll see.
How much do you know about this league? Are there any particular fixtures you’re looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to Durham and Sunderland, just because there’s a couple of Ferns on those teams. So it’ll be nice to have some healthy competition up there and to be on the other side of the pitch from them, for once. So that’ll be quite fun.
So when you get a chance to be out there on the pitch playing in front of the Southampton fans, what do you want to be able to show them?
Hopefully a nice clean sheet [laughs]. That’s what you really hope for as a goalkeeper. Yeah, keeping the ball out of the net.
And some dramatic saves. Do you like a stylish looking top corner save?
Here and there. I’d say, I’m quite a mellow player but I don’t mind showing off here and there…if it’s a boring game [laughs].
I’ve been asking everyone about team DJs, but you maybe don’t know quite yet?
Yeah, I’m not sure. I think Meg’s [Megan Collett], usually our team DJ. She gets us all going in the early mornings.
What would you be listening to if you were DJing? Can you introduce us to any New Zealand bands?
Back in New Zealand, Six60 are quite big.
I guess Lorde is quite well known. Trying to think of kiwi artists. I’d say those two are the big ones, but I listen to whatever, really.
Southampton look to be building a solid baseline rather than going all out for promotion – but they shouldn’t be underestimated. There’s plenty of fire power in the squad and plenty of experience. The Saints will surely be marching into the top half of the table again and mixing things up a bit.
SUNDERLAND – TEAM SPIRIT
Head coach: Mel Reay
Key players: Last season’s joint top scorers Emily Scarr and Katie Kitching, provider Katy Watson, and new signings Elise Hughes and Tara Bourne
Signings: Elise Hughes, Tara Bourne, Fran Stenson, Noa Schumacher, Atlanta Primus, Kassandra Missipo, Tess Laplacette
Loans: Sanni Franssi (London City Lionesses), Lily Dent (Brighton)
Sunderland would have hoped for better last season after finishing eighth. They may not have been expected to fight for promotion but they were capable of better.
Their failure to turn draws into wins stopped them edging up the table but it was the 10 losses they’ll want to improve on this season.
They’ve had a strong transfer window, signing a host of international and experienced players. Elise Hughes played for Wales in their historic first tournament at Euro 2025. Tara Bourne is an England youth international, and Belgian international Kassandra Missipo brings 66 caps worth of experience. Alongside their other signings, Sunderland have brought in WSL reinforcements in Sanni Franssi from London City Lionesses and Lily Dent from Brighton.
With some strong signings and a fun-loving and strong team spirit, the Lasses are hoping to improve on last season’s win tally, as Chloe Paxton tells me.
Can you describe your style at Sunderland as a team?
We’re quite direct. Quite a crossing team, love crosses, get on the end of it. We’ll just work really hard because we’re so close, everyone has each other’s back, so everyone runs for each other.
Yeah, very direct.
How are the new signings settling in and what do they bring to the team?
I think they’re settling in really well. I’m here with all of them today actually, and we’ve all had a really nice day.
They all bring something different. A lot of creativity and uniqueness and stuff that we don’t have. Hopefully they’ll fit in perfectly and all will go well.
What are the team’s hopes for the season?
It’s a tough league. I think everyone wants to do well but we just need to take it game by game and see what we can do.
There’s no real expectations, just take it game by game. Hopefully win as many as we can.
What problems are you going to pose to other teams?
Our work rate, our ability to win even when we don’t play very well. And the directness and ability to score goals.
Are there any fixtures in particular you’re looking forward to?
I love a derby up north – Durham and Newcastle. The Newcastle one’s really exciting. But yeah they’re always interesting fixtures.
What’s the culture like in the team?
I just love it, I really do. It’s a right laugh up there.
We’re just like a little family, everyone gets on so well. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t actually laugh every day.
It’s just such a nice environment.
And the football’s great, the training environment, just everything is really lovely.
What can the fans expect from Sunderland this season?
Hopefully, they can expect a lot of wins. Just some good football, fighting for each other on the pitch, having each other’s backs.
Obviously, there’ll be ups and downs but hopefully they can see we’re really together, a proper team on and off the pitch.
I think it’ll be a really exciting season. Hopefully full of lots of goals.
And giggles…
Goals and giggles, what more can you want [laughs]
Who’s your team DJ?
Emily Cassap. She covers a bit of everything.
Marks out of 10?
10.
She’s just got a little bit of everything. Knows when to play what, fits the vibe all the time.
Anything in particular you like on the playlist?
As a team, we’re listening to a lot of country, just a lot of like, sing songs.
And game day, a bit more bouncy, louder.
Sunderland know they need to keep up with the growth of other teams in the league and have increased the squad depth and experience ahead of the new season. They aren’t promotion contenders but they’ll fight for each other, entertain, and have a lot of laughs along the way.
WATFORD – STAYING PUT
Head coach: Renee Hector
Key players: Madison Perry scored 25 goals and provided 10 assists last season, earning her Supporter’s Player of the Year. New signing Saoirse Noonan, the Republic of Ireland international, will add a further boost to the attacking line-up – and plenty of goals.
Signings: Zara Bailey, Ellie Noble, Hannah Greenwood, Saoirse Noonan, Demi Lambourne, Phoebe Poole, Karin Muya, Tianna Teisar, Eva Gray, Aoibheann Clancy
Loans: Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Vera Jones (Chelsea), Grace Neville (Ipswich Town)
Watford won automatic promotion back into WSL2 after winning the Southern Premier Division last season. And they aren’t messing around. Saoirse Noonan is their marquee signing and is sure to add a few numbers to the “goals for” column this season. The loan re-signing of Manchester United goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel is a smart move, giving them not only WSL experience but also UWCL ‘keeper credentials.
Head coach Renee Hector (above) is Watford to the core, having played there from childhood and worked her way up the coaching ranks. Last season’s promotion was her first in charge and she’ll want to continue giving that winning feeling to the Watford faithful.
It’s a tough league, but The Golden Girls are not here to make up the numbers, as midfielder Anna Filbey makes clear:
Obviously a fabulous campaign last season. Do you carry that momentum into this season?
Hopefully. We finished on a high, so hopefully we can bring it into this season.
We know it’s gonna pose very different challenges but yeah, super excited and hopefully.
Playing at Vicarage Road, what does that mean to the players because that’s a big statement, isn’t it?
Definitely. Super exciting for us. We haven’t really had a consistent home. So to have that and to be able to get the fans coming back to Watford – which we’ve never had before – and the stadium’s unbelievable. The pitch is like a carpet. It’s gonna be amazing.
What are you hoping to show the fans?
Some passion and we’ve always been a ball playing team so hopefully continue that in the new league.
We know it’s not going to be easy, but we still want to impose ourselves and play the way we want to play and make it exciting for the fans and make them want to come back.
Do you feel a responsibility to get younger fans in to watch and build that fan base?
Definitely, yeah. Watford’s such a community club and the original family club is what we’re called. So, yes, it’s definitely a responsibility for us to continue that and get people through the doors and enjoy watching us play football.
What are your new signings going to bring to the team this season?
Definitely more depth in the squad. It’s improved us massively.
Training’s quicker, training’s better. It’s really exciting. A lot of people have experience in this league so they’ll help us with that as well.
You’ve got a lot of experience in all the leagues [both laugh]. What sort of responsibilities do you take as a leader to help younger players understand the differences in the leagues as you go up?
First and foremost, I want them to be able to show themselves and feel comfortable to perform how they know they can perform.
Obviously it’s a big step up, but they’re here for a reason. They’re good enough to do that. But yeah, hopefully bring a little bit of experience, show the standard, help other people understand that, and hopefully help us do well.
Are there any fixtures in particular that you’re looking forward to?
Maybe Newcastle. Hopefully it gets announced at the stadium, maybe. I think Newcastle away would be pretty cool.
Have you got ambitions for the team this season?
I think it’s hard being the newbie. It is hard. But to cement ourselves in the league. I think we’ve been known as a yo-yo team, coming up, going back down. I hope we stay up there and climb the table.
We’re not gonna be an easy team, we’re here to play football.
And my final one, who’s the team DJ?
Lachante Paul. Unbelievable, she’s got a mix of everything. Sometimes we need to tell her to speed it up a little bit, but no, she covers all bases.
Score out of 10?
10. I’m very happy.
Oh, wow! What does she play?
Everything. She gets us very up for the game.
I fancy Watford’s chances at a strong showing this season, despite the step up. With the history of Vicarage Road providing motivation and some very good signings, I predict The Golden Girls are going to stick around for a while.
WOLVES – FIGHT CLUB
Head coach: Dan McNamara
Key players: Forwards Amber Hughes was joint top scorer in the Northern Premier Division last season (18) and fellow striker Charlotte Greengrass just behind with 17. Captain Anna Morphet is their longest-serving player and was one of the finest left-sided centre-backs in the Women’s National League. Melissa Lawley signed for the club over the summer bringing England caps and over 300 senior appearances across her career.
Signings: Jasmine Matthews, Mel Lawley, Yana Daniëls, Mel Filis, Hollie Olding, Layla Proctor, Cadi Doran, Ellen Jones, Olivia Francis, Tara O’Hanlon
Loans: Emily Orman (London City Lionesses)
Wolves Women thoroughly deserved promotion – they’ve been knocking on the door for the past few seasons. And they’ve had to fight hard both on the pitch and off it, recently.
But the fight against adversity brings both resilience and determination. They scored 70 goals last season and just missed out on automatic promotion behind Burnley. A 1-0 win in the play-off final against Plymouth Argyle secured the much-deserved place in WSL2.
Add in the passion of head coach Dan McNamara, Macca, – which is contagious – and you have a powerful team spirit that is impossible to break.
And this is how I start my chat with young forward Louanne Worsey who has experience in both the WSL and the Championship/WSL2.
I spoke to Macca last season and I can see the same passion in you…
It rubs off [laughs]
I cannot imagine how it felt for you all having had those really difficult seasons but that builds resilience. What else would you say describes the team?
I’d say a family feel.
It’s the best club I’ve been with in regards to the togetherness, we’re so together. We go through the highs and lows all together. We feel everything together.
We’re in and around each other now way more than we used to be, so I’d say the togetherness of the team and coaching staff as well.
We’re such a close knit team.
Anything we go through is never on our own as an individual – it is always as a pack together.
This is huge for you all. How are you all feeling going into the season?
Everyone’s come back in with a spring in their step. We’ve lived through the promotion now, we’ve had that feeling. We are going to continue living in it and keep striving to feel those feelings again.
But we know what we’re stepping into and everyone’s coming with us, bringing a step, ready to go again and ready to have some success as well.
And not just take part?
No, we want to win games. We want to be higher up in the league as well.
What would you say was your style on the pitch as a team?
I’d probably say aggression, first and foremost. I feel like every team that we come against we want to make them feel like there’s twice as many Wolves players on the pitch as they’ve got.
And I feel we do achieve that as a team.
People will never come walking off the pitch thinking that was an easy ride. It won’t ever be when you come against Wolves.
To be honest, it’ll probably be the complete opposite, you’ll probably get kicked up in the air a few times [laughs], but that’s what we want people to expect.
We don’t want people to come and think this is going to be easy.
So yeah, probably the aggression that we come with [laughs]
That’s our DNA at the end of the day. It’s always finding ways to win and if that’s the way of going about it, then we will.
What are the new signings bringing to the team?
We’ve got a lot of experienced girls now. We’ve got way more experience on our side. People have played within this level as well. Having that is always nice.
It’s a nice happy medium now of both the younger girls and some girls that bring experience. They teach a lot as well to the other girls, especially me, I’m only 21 myself, so it’s a lot to learn coming from them as well.
They’ve gelled really nicely. They’ve settled in so nice. And they’ve really imprinted that DNA within them, which is nice to see so early on.
I think it’s going to be a really positive season.
I think because you’ve got that really strong DNA, it probably is easier because you don’t come to the club if you don’t want that?
Definitely, exactly.
I think Macca has done very well with the signings. He sees that within them and it really shows on the pitch as well and within the group of girls that we’ve got.
Any fixtures you’re particularly looking forward to?
We’ve all said Newcastle away.
We’re excited for the first game of the season, that’ll be a really good opportunity to mark our stamp on the league early on.
So hopefully we’ll go there and we’ll get a win as well.
I can see a vinyl tattoo [music record] on your arm. Who’s the team DJ?
Me. It’s me. [laughs]
[laughs] I figured maybe that was a little bit of a giveaway. What do you like to play?
I play a bit of everything. The girls love a bit of 80s. I love a bit of 80s.
But we honestly play a load of everything. Whatever the girls are feeling. I’ll feed off them.
I feel like a proper DJ when I’m DJing. I’ll see what the vibe is and if people are liking it then I’ll carry on playing it.
But it’s a big responsibility that comes with it! It’s a bit of pressure, but yeah, it works [laughs].
I love that you all love 80s music. I grew up in the 80s, so you guys are all coming back round to it! What do you like about the 80s?
We play a Little Respect by Erasure – great tune, everyone loves it. I don’t know, it’s just feel good, isn’t it? You can’t beat it.
You definitely can’t. And it’ll be no easy task to beat Wolves either.
Obviously it’s a massive step up in terms of football but many players have now been able to quit their jobs and become full-time footballers. They’re living their dream. The fight in Wolves shouldn’t be underestimated. And neither should head coach Dan McNamara. Macca is a passionate force of nature – everything he has goes into the team and they reward him back with the same. You can hear it in Worsey’s words and see it in her eyes.
I have no doubt they will be much harder to beat than many teams realise.
Click here for part one of our WSL2 preview: Bristol City to Newcastle United
Photos: Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Southampton, Sunderland, Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Helen M Jerome
