Inverness Caley Thistle can only focus on themselves ahead of SWF Championship opener against unknown opponents Rossvale, says manager Karen Mason
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Karen Mason says not knowing much about several of their opponents in the SWF Championship this season means they can only focus on themselves for the time being.
The 2022/23 season gets up and running at Millburn Academy this afternoon as Glasgow outfit Rossvale travels to the Highland capital for the opening day of a new-look top tier for Scottish Women's Football.
From Caley Thistle's perspective, six of their seven opponents were in a different league last season, meaning there is a significant unknown element to what they will be facing.
Over time through playing matches they will have a better idea of what other teams are capable of, but for now Mason can only really look at making Inverness the best they can be.
"It's always a buzz when we come to the first game," Mason said.
"It's nice to have a home game to start us off as well, so we're definitely looking forward to it. It's going to be a fresh start for us, so hopefully we'll start off on a good footing to make sure that we make it a competitive game.
"I know that Rossvale made the play-off final last season and got beaten by East Fife, but I'm only really gauging it off of that at the moment, I haven't managed to get down and see any teams.
"I've seen some highlights on Twitter, but that doesn't necessarily give too much away when you just get clips of goals. I don't know an awful lot, so it will just be a case of taking them as they come on Sunday.
"Our focus in our pre-season has been making sure that we're ready to play the type of football that we want to. We have to want it more than other teams will, and we have to make sure we try and dictate how the game goes and not the other way around.
"That's one bonus that we can work on that, and after we've played everybody once we'll have a better idea of how other teams play and take that into account going forward."
New season, new style?
Some managers will spend the off-season devising new tactical plans to unleash when the competitive action starts.
Caley Thistle may well see some tactical tweaks over the coming weeks and months too, but to an extent that could be forced on Mason by player availability.
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She believes numbers are lacking for the moment in the middle of the park, which could dictate how ICT approaches matches some weeks, with the likes of prolific goalscorer Kayleigh Mackenzie likely to play in midfield again like she did towards the end of last season when injuries hit.
"We're struggling in the centre of the park a little bit this year because of various different things," Mason admitted.
"We may well change shape every now and then depending on the personnel that's available, and again after we've played everybody we'll be able to figure out if certain people are better against certain opponents.
"Kayleigh will be in midfield more regularly this season. She's obviously willing to play anywhere to make sure she's in the starting 11, and I think she does give us a little bit extra in the middle of the park.
"She can play up front, but she has given us a little bit more in the middle when we have struggled. She's got the qualities that we need for that.
"With Megan McCarthy coming back into the fold this season as well, she has stepped forward into midfield, so hopefully that will give us a little bit more competition and when we do have the personnel we can alter it a bit if need be."
Team news
Part of the reason Mason is light in the centre of the park this weekend is because club captain Kirsty Deans – so often a driving force through the middle – is unavailable.
Hannah Gordon will also not feature, while Rachael Gillies is a doubt after picking up a knock.
In general, though, numbers will not be an issue thanks to players stepping up from the under-18s squad, with the likes of Ellie Anderson, Millie Carr and Iona MacArthur all training with the senior squad throughout pre-season.
"We had Ellie Anderson in the squad when we played against a friendly against St Johnstone, she came on and didn't look out of place at all," Mason reasoned.
"We haven't had the chance to get Millie (Carr) and Iona (MacArthur) involved as yet, but we're going to be including Elly in the squad on Sunday.
"Hopefully with the more opportunities she gets, the better she will become.
"She didn't look out of place against an SWPL Two team in St Johnstone, so I would say that she's more than ready to get on and compete for a place like everyone else."
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Rossvale kicks off at 12.30pm at Millburn Academy in Inverness.
