Ahead of the 2024/25 Women’s Championship campaign getting underway back in September, pre-season predictions were thrown around with regards to who might secure the top spot and a place in the 2025/26 WSL season.
The teams that most people favoured were London City Lionesses, now part of the family of clubs owned by American businesswoman Michele Kang (alongside Lyon Féminin and Washington Spirit), and Newcastle United Women, who, like their male counterparts, have benefitted significantly from the club’s Saudi ownership.
One team that didn’t receive as much backing was Durham Women, which is understandable given that they ended last season in ninth place and lost exactly half of their 22 league fixtures.
However, they are never a team to underestimate and have historically been one of the second tier’s stronger sides.
Between 2017 and 2021, they secured four consecutive top-four placings and missed out on promotion by eight points in the last of those, with Leicester City Women edging them to the top spot.
Whilst their displays since then have been somewhat inconsistent, the quality of their squad has never been in doubt, with them always having players capable of injecting energy whenever it has been required.
One player who particularly embodies that is Mollie Lambert.
A midfielder known for her attacking traits, Lambert has contributed significantly to Durhams being among the early title contenders this time around.
With that in mind, this tactical analysis will examine her performances more closely to show why she is so highly valued by her team.
The scout report will identify the different ways in which she contributes to their tactics and indicate why keeping her fit is vital if Durham is to stay within touching distance of current leaders Birmingham City Women, who are ahead of them on goal difference alone.
Mollie Lamberts Midfield Control
Despite Mollie Lambert’s primary position being central midfield, it is more common to see her drift into the final third and act as an additional forward for much of her time on the field, and Durham certainly bases a lot of its game plan around this.
As this section of the analysis will indicate, this season has been no different in that regard.
To allow her to make those advanced runs from the central third, though, Durham needs to ensure balance by having a striker who can drop back and prevent a sizeable gulf from emerging between the forwards and those behind them.
The addition of Carly Johns from relegated Watford Women certainly fitted that requirement.
Last season, she not
