Gareth Taylor’s side slipped to our first league loss of the season last weekend, falling to a 3-1 reverse at Chelsea on Sunday.
Naturally, the squad were disappointed to fall short against their title rivals, especially having also suffered defeat when the two sides met in the 2020 Community Shield in August.
However, Morgan asserts it is too early to dash hopes of league glory, with the intriguing 2020/21 campaign already throwing up some interesting results.
“People are often very quick to write us off,” she said, “but we’re not dwelling too much on the Chelsea result.
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“It was a blip in terms of how we play. We had a few days off, which gave everyone time to be themselves and stay at home and relax, and then we came back in to analyse the game and put it to bed.
“Maybe because we’ve been so dominant over the last few years, some people enjoy seeing us have difficult results!
“The league is so strong this year throughout, that so many teams are going to take points off other.
“The standard across the board is incredibly high. I don’t think any team will go through the season without disappointment.
“Don’t be surprised to see more ‘shock results.’”
City travel to Reading on Sunday, looking to return to winning ways, but face a tricky assignment with recent trips to the Royals proving high-scoring, thrilling affairs.
Morgan is excited for the challenge and says the players are feeling upbeat ahead of the visit to the Madejski Stadium, eager to respond at the earliest opportunity.
“We’re looking forward to the Reading game,” she added. “Games against them always seem to bring goals.
“It’s always a tough game but an exciting one, especially for the fans – two very strong teams, trying to win!
“It’s a tough place to go – Reading are such a strong side. It will be a real battle – very physical. They’re always organised and difficult to break down.
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“You just want to bounce back straight away and put everything right, proving to ourselves we’re a top team and that we’re capable of winning these games.
“That’s the mentality we’ve brought to training this week – it’s been really competitive over the last few days and of a high standard – and everyone has a real drive.”
Sunday marks an important day for Morgan on a personal note – the end of her teenage years, as she celebrates her 20th birthday.
The lifelong City fan says three points would make the perfect gift – and a first goal for the Club would be extra special.
“I’m desperate to score my first goal this season!” she smiled. “I got a couple on loan at Everton but I really want to get one for City.
“Hopefully, it’s not too far away!”
That dream would cap another exceptional week for the youngster, who earned her second call-up to the senior England squad – and her first match squad selection.
“I couldn’t believe it again!” she grinned. “I hope the feeling never goes away – that sheer joy and excitement.
“It was a shock to be selected – I wasn’t expecting it – so when I got the notification through, I was beaming for the rest of the day!
“I was so happy and excited. It’s an amazing opportunity to be around the matchday squad and see what that’s like at international level.
“It feels like an important time in my career. There are lots of good opportunities coming my way and it’s up to me to make the most of it.
“I’m training with so many good players on a daily basis and trying to make the most of that, taking on board as much information and improving myself as much as I can.
“I’m really focused on taking the opportunities whenever they come to me.
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“I know the coaches I’m working with have high expectations for me and they’ve shown a lot of belief in me. I just have to try and repay that by showing what I can do.
“For now, I’m focused on Reading. It’s important to take a win into international break.
“Maybe you can have bragging rights at camp with the other players but more importantly, we need to get our momentum back, especially with the FA Women’s Cup Final just a few days after international break.
“We want to be firing on all cylinders for that so it’s important to get back to winning ways so we can carry some momentum through to Wembley.”
