By Charlie Jinks
Derby County Women’s head coach, Samantha Griffiths, claims her side are having to shift tactically ahead of their trip to Stoke on Wednesday.
Griffiths, Ewes manager since 2018, is eyeing up a change in shape after two defeats in their last two outings and a lack of availability have caused her struggles.
Her side face a Stoke team who sit in fourth in the FA Women’s National League northern division, 17 points ahead of them and without a loss in their last three outings.
Griffiths hinted at the possibility for tactical adjustment.
She said: “We’re quite short on numbers (to)night.
“We might change shape, something a little bit more defensive.”
The Ewes are without key players such as Evie Mccaffery and Sasha Lewis as the two teenagers are away with England.
Griffiths side are also without Rebecca Hogg, the defender who adds an aerial presence, which unsettles the manager.
She said: “They [Stoke] are a problem from set pieces.”
Despite this, Griffiths remains positive and aims to give opportunities to younger players with an Albanian Under 19 international travelling with the squad.
Griffiths praised Derby’s talent pathway and seemed open to giving young players a chance.
“The more opportunities we get to see these kids the better,” the England Under-16 assistant coach said.
“The kids [Mccaffery and Lewis] bring so much professionalism despite being 16,” said Griffiths.
The manager remains in high spirits ahead of the final session before their trip up to Stoke where she aims to gain some confidence before her side face a run of theoretically more inviting fixtures against sides also part-time such as Halifax and Liverpool Feds.
