The Blues head into Sunday’s league season finale as champions and Continental Tyres Cup winners, but have the chance to end the campaign as Invincibles, having gone unbeaten in their 15 games.
With 13 victories, 35 goals scored and just three conceded, City’s Champions League last 16 ties with Brondby IF.
He told ManCity.com: “In football, people would expect us to take our foot off the gas and there’s every opportunity to do so – we pretty much have the trophies in the cupboard – but as the coach, it gives me the chance to ensure we can affect things ourselves.
“I’m proud at the moment that we haven’t lost but we’ll prepare properly for the Birmingham game because they’re a very good team.
“It’s not something you set a standard for – to go undefeated – but as a coach, that’s the ultimate aim every year. Our performances and tactical understanding of the opposition have given us the opportunity to win every game.”
Presented by Etihad Airways, a party atmosphere has been promised at the Academy Stadium for the champions, and Cushing is excited to celebrate with the home fans – particularly after such a long wait.
“It didn’t sink in that we’d won the title really because we had key games still to come where we knew we had to win – the Continental Tyres Cup final and the Champions League,” he explained.
“We had big games coming and our season will actually end after the Brondby games.
“Come Sunday, we can celebrate as champions but we have to make sure we focus first.
“Performance is down to us. As soon as the referee blows the whistle and the ball rolls, it’s down to the players to replicate their level and keep their standards high. It’s not okay to take our foot off the gas at the club we play for and the type of people we are.”
With the pressure off, Cushing added he may rotate.
“We want to be successful now but we also have to prepare for the future of Manchester City Women so maybe we’ll see some of the younger players in that game,” he declared.
“We have to give players like Georgia Stanway, Ellie Roebuck and Keira Walsh game time at the highest level. They’re good players but we have to give them good experiences.”
Join the party!
Celebrate a wonderful season with Man City Women at the league season finale, presented by Etihad Airways, on Sunday 30 October.
Tickets are still available to watch the league and cup double winners attempt to end the season unbeaten as ‘Invincibles’.
The Super League and Continental Tyres Cup trophies will be on display, and the party will really start at full-time.
Visit the Ticket Office or tickets.mancity.com for more details.
