Cardiff City striker says Bluebirds are aiming high after signing four new players
Cardiff City celebrate at full time. Cardiff Met v Cardiff City in the Welsh Women's Cup Final at Bryntirion Park on the 24th April 2022. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Cardiff City’s Zoe Atkins believes that anything is possible for her side this season, as they prepare for the opening day of the Adran Premier.
Last season saw the Bluebirds finish third in the league, finish as runners-up in the Adran Trophy, before winning the FAW Cup.
Reflecting on last season’s achievements, she said: “Overall, I am very happy with it. As a team, I think we know now we could have done more. So that’s our aim this season.
‘Obviously, we were disappointed with the cup loss before our cup win, so we’re looking to change that this season, but it is looking really positive this year.
In preparation for the new season and their title challenge, City have signed a few new players, and they have all settled into the squad.
‘The girls have been brilliant. The likes of Rhi (Rhianne Oakley), Meg (Meg Bowen), Evie (Evie Hughes) have settled in really well, it’s like they’ve been here for a couple of seasons.
‘Good laughs as well so there’s no nervousness around them, and it brings great competition for the rest of the squad.
And those new signings are joining a squad who were lauded for the way they played last season. They also have numerous young prospects who have played for Welsh youth teams.
Atkins, who is one of the more experienced players in the squad, is proud of how these players are coming through.
‘For myself, being one of the older ones, they’ve kept me on my toes for sure! They’re pushing for their space in the squad all the time.
‘You can see the success from the end of last season really kept us together and we’ve got a really good bond.
‘There’s no separation or anything between the youngsters and the experienced ones.
City finished third in the league behind Swansea City and Cardiff Met. While the Bluebirds struggled against those two teams early on in the season, they beat the Swans in phase two and triumphed over Met in the FAW Cup.
Knowing that they can beat their two rivals now will spur the team on to greater things this season, according to Atkins.
‘It was a mental block with those two teams before, I think it was just overcoming that. Now that we know we can do it, that motivates us to do it every game against them this season.
Those three teams are often viewed as the big three in Welsh domestic football. However, Atkins believes the gap between them and the rest of the league is shrinking.
‘This year is looking really exciting for the league. We can’t underestimate any team at all this year.
‘I know Aberystwyth took points off the big teams last year, they look like a good organisation this year.
‘They’ve got a very good manager and they always give us a good game, but we definitely shouldn’t write off Aberystwyth this year.
And the rise in standards will only be a good thing for the league, especially on the back of a successful European Championships held in England and the unstoppable growth of the Welsh national team.
Entry is free across the opening day of the Adran Prem this weekend, and Atkins cannot wait to see the league grow.
‘It’s going to grow massively this year. You’ll see a different target audience come in. The older generation, more males coming with their daughters.
‘On Sunday, our entry is free as well and hopefully we get a good attendance for that as well.
When asked what the expectations for herself and her team are for the season, Atkins wants to push herself.
‘Personally, it’s more how long I can keep going for now!
‘But I want to top my stats from last year, I have improved the last couple of years I’ve been with the Bluebirds. I want to top that and get more goals and more minutes.
‘As a team, overall, we just want to go into the games, one by one, and get success from each one.
‘The little successes we have will lead to bigger ones, but we are aiming high this year definitely with the league and the cups.’
Cardiff City kick off their Adran Premier campaign on Sunday, September 4th against Pontypridd United.
