Coombs: Fierce competition for places driving City on | OneFootball

Laura Coombs says intense competition for places has helped underpin City’s magnificent run of form ahead of Tuesday’s latest UEFA Women’s Champions League clash at home to Hammarby.

Gareth Taylor’s side will step out at the Joie Stadium sitting on top of Group D having recorded two wins out of two so far in Europe.

City will also go into the Joie Stadium clash on the back of a superb 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions that has also seen us top the Barclays Women’s Super League table.

Taylor is blessed with a supremely talented squad with strong competition for starting places across the board.

And addressing the media ahead of Tuesday’s latest European match-up, England international Coombs – who has come off the bench to make a positive impact in the last two games – said that strength in depth had proved a key factor in City’s fine form.

“The competition in the squad is super high and every week we know we have to put on a performance, it's helping us and we're in a good spot,” Coombs declared.

WATCH: Highlights: St Polten 2-3 City

“Everyone wants to start. Everyone wants that but if that's the role I have at the minute [coming off the bench] I'll do it to the best of my ability.

“I'll bring my energy off the bench as if I was starting. Everyone wants that and only 11 can do that.

“We feel really good and reflected in where we are in the league.

“We may be inexperienced in this competition, but in the squad we have World Cup finalists and Euros winners. [So there is] similar experience to draw on.”

Hammarby beat St Polten 2-0 in their opening Champions League encounter but then suffered a 9-0 loss away to reigning European champions Barcelona in their last group game.

WATCH: Highlights: City 2-0 Barcelona

However, Coombs says that City are braced for another tough, intense examination on Tuesday.

“We've watched them quite a bit. They look extremely physical as Swedish teams do,” the midfielder added.

“We are expecting them to be direct and we’re preparing for that.

“Although they haven't had a good result in the previous game, we don’t expect it to be easy and will prepare as much as we can.”