Thompson deserving of opportunity to lead Sheffield United says defender Graham

Graham believes that Thompson should be given the chance to lead Sheffield United.

Molly Graham Backs Sheffield United's New Coach, Ash Thompson

Thompson was named as The Blades' new full-time head coach in July after doing an outstanding job with the club's Under-21s.

This year, Thompson will step up to senior coaching for the first time. Defender Graham believes her new boss has earned this promotion because of his successful track record at the Under-21 level.

"He absolutely deserves the job, he has put in a lot of effort with the Under-21s," Graham stated during a press event for the Barclays Women's Championship. "He meticulously explains each person's role and makes sure everyone understands their responsibilities."

"He has achieved great success in nurturing young players. Players such as Eva [Butler] and Tilly [Bristow] who have advanced to the first team squad are proof of his excellent management of the Under-21s, ensuring a steady stream of players making it to the top team."

Graham mentions that Thompson joining the team will be beneficial for her growth and she is confident that he will contribute a unique perspective to the group.

In her statement, she mentioned that he provides thorough coaching and understands her as a player, while she also knows him well as a coach. This is beneficial to her because she is familiar with his methods and the dedication he has in ensuring that details are perfected and messages are effectively communicated to the players. She believes that he will be able to leave his mark on the team's style of play and performance for the upcoming season.

Sheffield United has been at the forefront of giving young players a chance to play in the first team in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue under Thompson. Graham emphasized how crucial Sheffield United's pathway is and praised the club for their ongoing dedication to nurturing their own players.

Graham emphasized the significance of the academy in fostering talent from the Under-21s all the way to the first team at Sheffield United. He noted that if a team is unable to retain the players they develop, there may be issues with the development pathway.

"It is crucial to have a clear development route for the female players in the academy. It is fantastic that the club has consistently prioritized the advancement of young talents."

After making it to the main team in the later part of the 2022/2023 season, Graham has been a dependable player for Sheffield United. Her main objective for the upcoming season is to get more playing time and solidify her position in the team.

She expressed her desire to continue improving by increasing her playing time and making a greater impact on the team. Last season, we didn't have many games without goals scored against us, so I want to work on improving that aspect.

I desire to continue improving my skills as a player and as a person, as well as helping the team climb higher in the league standings.

Sheffield United will start the upcoming 2024/2025 Barclays Women's Championship season with a match against Durham next Sunday.