Hawa Cissoko has called on her West Ham United Women's teammates to start the match against Birmingham City on Sunday in similar fashion to the way that they ended the game against Chelsea on Thursday.
The Hammers were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, but the damage had been done in a poor first half, where Chelsea went 3-0 up before the referee blew for the break.
But the team had more energy and desire about them when they emerged from the tunnel for the second 45 minutes, and Dagný Brynjarsdóttir scored with only three minutes gone in the half to bring her team back into the contest.
Despite chances for Kateřina Svitková and Lois Joel, the home side couldn't add to their solitary goal - mainly due to a stubborn Chelsea defence that let very little go beyond them.
Sam Kerr added a fourth in the second half, arguably against the run-of-play, but it was a much better showing from Olli Harder's side, and Cissoko hopes that they can learn from that going into their game against Birmingham on Sunday.
"I didn’t really know what to think at the full time whistle after the Chelsea game, because although they managed to score four goals, I didn’t think they made us suffer all that much," Cissoko told whufc.com.
"We gave them a lot of the opportunities that they created, which is disappointing for us.
"Second half we were much better, and without looking at the stats from the game, I think we probably had more chances than them in the second 45 minutes.
"If we could have started the game in the way that we finished it then I think it would have been a different game."
"I think we have to try and be more clinical with the chances that we do get – which is exactly what Chelsea did. They scored three goals one after another, and before we knew it, the game was already out of our reach."
Thursday's game against the WSL champions was also the first time that fans have been able to properly interact with players at the full-time whistle - as FA Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed.
And despite Cissoko being with the Hammers for over 18 months, this was her first experience of being able to interact with the supporters at full-time.
"It’s just incredible what we’ve been able to do this season at home in comparison to last season. The fans are amazing, and they really have made a big difference for us here this season. During the game I hear them and they push me on to do better.
"I’m so grateful for them being here and supporting the team in the way that they do."
Cissoko now hopes that West Ham United can approach the Birmingham City match in the same manner that they did in the second half against Chelsea.
Sunday's hosts are rooted to the bottom of the WSL table, having collected four points all season.
"We have to go to Birmingham now and start that game how we finished against Chelsea. I think if we play like we did in the second half throughout the 90 minutes on Sunday then we will get a result.
"It will be a tough game because they are at the bottom fighting for every point, but I believe we have enough quality and team spirit to win the game if we play to our best."
You can watch West Ham United Women in action live on the FA Player on Sunday, with coverage beginning just before the scheduled 2pm kick-off.
Tickets are available to purchase from the Birmingham City website by clicking here.
We will also be bringing you live twitter updates, as well as exclusive reaction to follow after the full-time whistle right here on whufc.com.
