Vicky Losada says Albion now have a playing style which suits the players in their squad.
But she has warned getting it right will be a gradual process – just like it was in her FC Barcelona days.
The Seagulls’ captain says she can see similarities between the style introduced by interim boss Mikey Harris and the way she played with Barca.
Harris has essentially got the women playing in what is seen as the club’s style, similar to how men’s teams operate under Roberto De Zerbi and Shannon Ruth.
It generally means more possession, although there will be exceptions such as last Sunday’s game with Manchester City.
Losada says that is a better fit for the squad than a more pragmatic approach under Melissa Phillips, who was sacked midway through the season with her team dangerously close to the foot of the Barclays WSL.
The arrival of Losada last summer looked an impressive statement of intent, similar to that by the men’s side when they signed Adam Lallana.
She was one of several notable additions but the rebuild has not yet taken off.
Losada sees the way Albiona re looking to play as the best way of getting more from the players available.
She told The Argus: “I think we are focusing now on the style that the club wants us to play.
“I think it is something that the team feels comfortable with.
“But it’s not easy to have the ball all the time.
“It’s not easy when they are pressing you one-v-one all over the pitch to get through.
“We haven’t had enough time, either, but it’s just a process.
“Before Christmas, I think the players we have, being honest, it’s not a team for not having the ball, really.
“I don’t think we are a team to be playing super direct without trying to have a bit of possession.
“I think that has improved.
“Of course, sometimes it is not easy.
“We are in a process of we want to play more, we want to connect better between us and I think that it’s just a matter of time, really.”
Asked if the more possession-based game was something she had been part of before, she said: “Yes, a lot.
“I have been all my life at Barca so the answer is going to be Barca.
“In a different way, which I really love.
“When you are in a team for a long time, you only see that way.
“You think the only way to win or to play nice football is the Barca way – and it is not.
“So I am learning a lot.
“At the start, maybe the team was a bit like, ‘Are we really going to do this?’.
“But I think you train your belief and there is a lot of talent.
“We just need more experience managing the game.
“It’s not just about us playing the game.
“The game changes so quickly you have to manage moments mentally and I think we need to improve on that.
“But I started with Barca and we got relegated one year and then after seven, eight years, we had already played two Champions League finals and we won the second.
“I’m not saying it is going to be like that.
“I’m just saying we need time and, of course, never lose the belief and sticking to the process.
“Players will come and go but, in the end, the main thing is the team and the club.”
Albion had just 32% of possession against City and the visitors were a joy to watch on the ball in their 4-1 win.
That is the sort of play to which the Seagulls aspire.
But one other aspect which stood out was how quicky and hungrily they won it back when needed.
That is another quality Harris can his team can take from the game.
Harris said: “Everyone will speak about Man City and their quality on the ball but out of possession they are formidable as well.
“As I said when I came in, we want to dominate the ball as much as we can and part of that is getting it back as quickly as you can.
“You also have to recognise when you are playing against certain opponents that you might have to win the ball in a different place on the pitch.
“You might have to be a bit more patient out of possession.
“I think you could see that was part of our strategy and we won it where we wanted to win it at times but then didn’t do the next bit right for the counter.”
Albion can expect a different test on Sunday when they visit a Leicester side two points above them in the table.
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