It is bottom versus top at The Valley tomorrow afternoon (1.30pm). Play-off winners against defending WSL champions.
The size of the challenge facing Charlton Athletic is abundantly clear.
Karen Hills’ side have lost all three of their league matches and were also defeated 4-0 by Brighton in their first match in the League Cup in West Sussex on Wednesday.
Manchester City, by contrast, are the only team still with a 100 per cent record in the WSL and fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek.
Jodie Hutton scored against London City Lionesses/Picture: Keith Gillard
City have created the most big chances, scored the most set-piece goals and completed the most passes in the top flight this season.
Charlton have conceded 13 goals in four outings.
But Hills has been quick to dismiss that her players can view their next fixture as effectively a ‘free hit’.
“I’d hope not because when you talk about it like that, every team in this league is ahead of where we are,” she said. “That is a fact. You look at the numbers, data and that we are a newly-promoted team that is coming up against top, top players.
“I know their schedule is quite packed over the next few weeks. Will that play into our favour? I don’t think it will because they’ve got world-class players in the whole squad. We have to be our absolute best and give the best account of ourselves, individually and as a collective.
“It is another opportunity to put in a performance that was better than last week.”
Charlton will be missing club captain Kiera Skeels after she suffered ankle damage in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to London City Lionesses.
“It’s still work in progress so there is no timeline that has come my way - I’m pushing for it,” Hills told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition. “It will be an injury that is all about the individual.
“Kiera is making fantastic progress and I think she will be ahead of schedule, that will be a positive for us.”
Kiera Skeels/Picture: Keith Gillard
One big plus from the derby reverse was a blistering half-volley from striker Jodie Hutton - Charlton’s first goal in the top tier of the women’s game since 2007.
“It was a world-class finish. It’s a bit ironic because we see those moments in training,” said Hills. “It’s about whether we can carry some of those moments into these games. Wow, she took her moment.
“She was so tenacious. There was an opportunity a bit before that where she had no right to go and press two or three players - but she had the desire and work-rate. She did it again and thankfully it fell to her stronger foot. She competed well for the first contact, she won the second, took an unbelievable touch and then a left foot shot. I don’t think she will score many more goals like that this season.
“She has taken a lot of confidence from it, she really has, and so has the team. It’s having that belief when you are in those moments - if you don’t shoot then you don’t know.
“Jodie has been unbelievable for us so far.”
Hutton, 25, recently signed a new contract until the end of next season.
“It’s a fantastic commitment and I’m really pleased,” said Hills. “Jodie has been a big part of the last couple of seasons and the progress we’ve made. She has been instrumental. For her to commit to the club is a big statement. It shows the players wanting to be here - that togetherness and culture we’ve created.”
So how much does Hills take out of watching Manchester City in Champions League action before they make the trip to south London?
“They have a way of playing and they have some unbelievable players - technically gifted. They have threats in so many different areas. The timeline of when we played on Wednesday and then on Saturday is quite different for us. The turnaround is a new experience and that will be challenging. It is new for me as well.
“The turnaround from Saturday, to Wednesday, to Saturday - there has been no days off. It’s been relentless for the staff. We have to condense the information down because you can’t overload the players. We have our principles, in and out of possession, and we know their threats. Then we try to simplify it.
“Set-pieces are another big thing in the league and we need to be dialled in. It is an area we need to keep improving on and we’ve done some work on that this morning.
“I know they have got back-to-back weeks in the Champions League and another big game at the end of next week (against Arsenal). So will they rotate? We don’t know. But we can’t afford to take our foot off the gas.
“I want us to be brave and play with a no-fear mentality. Like I keep going back and saying, I just want to see a performance that is better than last week. The first game (against Liverpool) was a bit of a shell-shocking - this is what it is about. It was a bit of a reality check.
“For a lot of these players it is the first time that they’ve played at this level and it’s going to take a little bit of time to get up to the speed of it. But I believe in them, I really do, and that they can get to that level.
“I’m pleased with the bounce backs and the reset moments. We really do reflect. Are there things we keep doing wrong? Or are there things we did wrong but put right next week? There are always going to be new things, which we can be better at, that crop up.
“As long as we see progress in our performances as a team then the players are pleased with that. There is a leadership group which is very honest. There are a lot of small group discussions, so that a lot of players get the opportunity to speak within those.
“There have been some really tremendous conversations and some where individuals have stood up and said: ‘It wasn’t good enough for me’. It opens up a safe space. Those moments where we’re checking and challenging each other, it is a moment for growth. I’ve seen that growth over the last couple of weeks.”
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