Bondy's notes from Wimbledon

I said to the players on Friday after training and again after Sunday's warm-up: “If you think you will train or play a game and not make an mistake, then you’re wrong”. It’s part of the game. I know it's hard to believe it, but even I make mistakes :-)

The worst mistake you can make is not to try – then the mistake has already happened. As a coach, even using the word “mistake” is a mistake – I like to think of it as something we learn from. We discussed the meaning of clarity, the importance of everyone understanding roles and responsibilities; if we understand, we gain confidence.

Sunday’s performance was brilliant. I said to the girls just before they took to their positions “Look after each other with communication, give options to the player on the ball.” That also brings confidence, knowing your team/family has your back.

After a fantastic training session on Friday night, Sunday’s performance didn’t surprise me. If I'm completely honest now Teddington Athletic Girls U15 have arrived. I have said for weeks a performance of Sunday's level will be displayed – for me, it wasn't a matter of if but when. I truly believe in the people we have in our team as people and as footballers.

For the last couple of training sessions there has been a different vibe – yes, they laugh and at times we can't shut them up, but I love that everyone gets along. The different vibe is they are now starting to realise that the game is not just kicking a ball and being a good player physically, but the mentality of the decision-making and the understanding of formations – why we ask them to do things. The girls are becoming cleverer players.

Ruby is more like a last defender – reading the game, coming off her line, playing out from the back. The defenders have awareness of when to drop, pressing and bringing the line up together as a back four. The midfielders protect the defence and link up with the centre-forward, who defends from the front.

On Sunday, we showed that we can be the complete side. All this sounds good, but let’s get back down to earth: it’s one game. The players have set the standard; we now look for consistency.

– Bondy