City are still in contention for three domestic trophies going into the New Year and manger Cushing believes winning key matches – particularly in the FA Women’s Super League – where the title challenge is very much on.
“It’s really clear for us,” said Cushing. “It’s frustrating to lose to Arsenal and Chelsea but it’s made our task crystal clear.
READ: Lauren Hemp 2019 review
“We have to beat both those teams at home and we have to make sure we don’t drop points in and around those games.
“Last year at this point, we had dropped points against Bristol City at home so we were already two points behind where we should have been.
“This year we’ve been clinical in that sense, we’ve won those games consistently.
“We know we have to beat Arsenal and Chelsea here and there’s no room for error.
“We are in a good position. Obviously we’d like to be in a better position – top of the league – but we know we have to beat Arsenal and Chelsea here.
“We’ve always been stronger at home. They won’t relish coming here and playing against us because we’ve consistently won here.”
The City boss also believes Lauren Hemp will be an influential figure in the attempt to bring more silverware back to the club.
“She’s a consistent threat whoever she plays against,” he said.
“If we can get the ball to her, we’ll then feed off the chances she creates. It will push the team back and put the opposition under pressure.
“I thought she was very good in that sense, but her ability to get the ball back for us, her work-rate and her aggression to help the team defensively, was the best it’s been all season.
“She’s evolving her game, she’s improving, she’s going to be one hell of a player for England and ourselves.
“We’ve got to push her hard to make sure she realises that potential.”
