Birmingham City Women manager Amy Merricks has praised her team's resilience and competitive spirit despite a difficult winless opening to their Women's Super League return.
The side remains without a win in five league matches and has also suffered cup defeats to Liverpool and Everton.
Birmingham's domestic campaign includes home draws with Crystal Palace and Brighton, as well as losses to Chelsea and Manchester City.
An early strike by Oceane Hurtre against Everton highlighted the squad's offensive potential, marking her fifth goal of the season.
Merricks stressed that the team continues to battle effectively against top-tier opposition while adapting to the league's elevated standards.
"I'm really pleased by the resilience of the group," Merricks said. "I think the way that we're in games and competing is excellent."
The manager noted that the performance levels give her confidence that positive results are achievable in upcoming fixtures.
"It feels like we've been in every game so far with a real chance of picking up points in every game and I say that including Man City and Chelsea where we're creating opportunities," Merricks said.
Addressing the transition from lower-division football, Merricks highlighted the increased intensity required at the highest level of English women's football.
"I think the pace of the league is by far different to what we experienced last season and that's why I think with every exposure, with every lesson that we're learning, I think we will continue to get sharper and sharper," Merricks said.
She maintained that the squad approaches every opponent with confidence rather than apprehension.
"The mindset, we go into every game not fearing anyone ready to compete," Merricks said.
"And I think that the fact that we've taken this step up and been able to demonstrate that so far is very, very good.
And that's why I sit here feeling very proud as to what I've seen so far, knowing that there's equally so much more to come."
In other WSL lineup developments, West Ham United manager Rita Guarino adjusted her starting lineup by bringing defender Laia Codina in for Eva Nystrom following a previous loss to Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Chelsea altered four positions in their squad against Arsenal, handing Maika Hamano her first season start while captain Erin Cuthbert returned to the substitute bench following injury recovery.
