After opening the season with a 2-1 win over Reading Women in the FA Women’s Cup, City experienced a difficult start to life in the top-flight, suffering four successive losses, but kick-started their campaign earlier this month with a 1-0 win over Everton Ladies at the Etihad Stadium.
Since then, Cushing’s side have gone on to win four on the bounce, climbing to second place in the FA Women’s Super League and Group Two of the Continental Cup in the process.
The Blues’ boss disclosed he predicted a tough start for his new side but, having witnessed encouraging performances within each defeat, always knew victories would follow.
“I feel the start has been as we expected,” he asserted. “We anticipated it would take time for the team to gel and develop into a group but performances have been really positive and that has shown in the improvement in our results.
“The losses have turned into wins because of the players’ application. I have particularly been impressed with their attitudes.
“Everyone has worked hard and especially when results weren’t going our way, they were enthusiastic and positive.
“Our record now reads five wins and four defeats. The players have put things right and they’re ready to kick on.
“They now have a bit of belief that we are actually a very good team with an excellent spirit. If we work hard and prepare properly, we’ll give anyone a real test.
“We still have lots of areas to improve, but the fact that players and staff are not satisfied is a good thing. It means we will work harder to improve.”
City’s next game is a trip to current league leaders Birmingham City Ladies on 29 June. With the team on a roll and such a long wait until their next fixture, Cushing conceded it may have benefited his side to have been able to try and continue their fine form sooner rather than later.
“The break has probably come at the wrong time for us,” he admitted. “We’ve got a bit of momentum and we’re playing really well but that won’t be an excuse if we come back and play poorly.
“Of course, the break is good for us because it allows our players to rest and recover, plus some of them will be going away to play for their national teams which we will always support.
“The team will return on 10 June, when our international players go away on duty. We’ll get on the training pitch and work hard to make sure we’re ready for the first game back.”
