Startup impressed by City’s ‘calm’ title surge

Startup impressed by City’s ‘calm’ title surge.

Katie Startup says being pitched into the back end of a WSL title challenge was not how she imagined.

City’s latest goalkeeping recruit arrived towards the end of last season to help patch over a crisis in the keeper department, with Khiara Keating our only available stopper with Sandy MacIver and Ellie Roebuck sidelined.

The whole situation felt a little surreal, says the Maidstone-born stopper, who expected a tense, high pressure environment when she first arrived.

“It was a bit weird [joining on emergency loan last season]. It was out of nowhere really,” said Startup.

“It was all pretty calm actually, I think I would’ve expected before for it to be quite hectic and high pressure, everyone highly stressed and high strung because it’s the final push to try and secure the league.

“But what struck me was that everyone was really calm, knew what they were doing, and they were in control.

“Everyone made sure I was welcome and felt safe and happy here like it wasn’t just to get it done and move on with the process.

“I felt taken care of, so it was a really good experience coming in and it just allowed me to settle straight away and help the team push on and try finish the season on a high.”

Gareth Taylor’s measured approach and that of his players impressed Startup no end – and also made the integration with a group of players going toe-to-toe with Chelsea that much easier for her.

“I think it’s really evident. It didn’t feel high pressure, but it was a high-pressured environment,” she added.

“Games are always high pressure and the pressure to win is so high.

“But it felt calm and in control here. I think that is always cultivated by the staff, Club, culture and players you bring in.

“I would say that’s a reflection on Manchester City as a whole.”

And after last season’s heartbreaking goal difference title loss to Chelsea, Startup says she can’t wait to contribute towards helping the Blues claim a second WSL title this season.

She said: “I feel like I kind of have to come in and help finish the job.

“It was very much when I came in to help in that title push and missing out on goal difference is really gutting, but hopefully [we have] better luck this time around.”