Alex Greenwood reveals confidence is behind Man City's WSL resurgence

Alex Greenwood has revealed that Manchester City never let their disappointing start to the season faze them, as they were confident they always had the ability to turn things around.

A depleted City side ravaged by injuries had been knocked out of the Champions League, lost three of their opening four WSL fixtures and suffered heavy defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea before even reaching the third week of November.

However, the return of key personnel has seen City's form transformed. Gareth Taylor's side lifted the Continental Cup in February, and their run of one defeat in 11 has hauled them back into contention for Champions League qualification.

Greenwood has been instrumental in her side's resurgence, and saw her form rewarded by being voted the PFA Vertu Motors Fans' Player of the Month for February.

• PFA Vertu Motors WSL Fans' Player of the Month - February: Alex Greenwood

"For players it's confidence, and that's massive in football," Greenwood said.

"When you go on a run of games where you're maybe not playing so well, or you're playing well and you're not getting results and you can't find a way to win, it can be difficult. The big thing for me was heads never went down, we always stuck together.

"From the outside looking in it might not have looked like that, but we all stuck together because we knew things would fall into place, it was just a matter of time."

Greenwood joined City from Lyon in the summer of 2020, and will celebrate two years at the club in September. It will be the first time that she has completed a full two seasons at a club since leaving Everton in 2014, following brief spells at Notts County, Liverpool, Manchester United and Lyon.

The defender racked up her half century of City appearances during January, and is already part of the furniture at the Academy Stadium.

"That 50th appearance came around quite quickly, I was quite surprised myself," Greenwood added. "I feel like I've never been anywhere else, I feel like this is home. I'm loving my football here, I love being here, I genuinely can't remember what it was like not playing for this club now."

The 28-year-old has transitioned from left back to centre half during her time in Manchester - a move that may have initially come as a surprise to supporters, given that as a fullback she was renowned for her ability to bomb forward and her wicked left footed delivery.

However, life at centre-back has suited Greenwood down to a tee. Her pace is always an asset in getting City out of trouble, while her superb distribution enables her to dictate play like a quarter back, slotting perfectly into City's patient, passing style.

"The brand of football suits the way I want to play football," Greenwood explained. "The way Gaz wants us to play suits the way I want to play, I think it marries up."

City's transformation in fortunes this season was summed up by their Conti Cup final display. Having trailed 1-0 at the break, they turned in an electric second half performance to overwhelm Chelsea and run out 3-1 winners. Greenwood saw the triumph as a reward for the squad's hard work and the fans' dedication.

"No matter how the season's gone, how the game's have gone, [the fans] have always been there and stuck with us," she said. "Of course we understand it can be frustrating at times when things aren't going to plan but when we can take them to cup finals and perform like we have done more recently it feels a lot more rewarding.

"It felt like not a relief but more like a reward for everything that's gone on. To go on and win it speaks volumes of the squad."

90min is the home of the PFA Vertu Motors Fans' Player of the Month. Check out the nominees and winners in England's top four leagues and the WSL here.