Can Bunny Shaw Be The WSL’s Best Ever Striker? | Arsenal Should Keep Slegers | WSL Relegation Battle

Fara and Anita are back in the studio together, and as the WSL approaches the festive period, the pair discuss managerial shifts, relegation struggles and all-time best strikers.
Is Bunny Shaw on course to end her career is being amongst the best strikers to ever play in the WSL? Should Renée Slegers be kept in charge of Arsenal beyond the Christmas break? And which sides look like their season could be a relegation dogfight?
All of this, plus much more on this weeks episode of Boots, Balls & Bras. Stick around for the fan questions segment at the end of the episode, and see if your question got included!
Want to be a part of the show? Be sure to keep across our social channels, particularly Instagram, where you'll have a chance to send Fara and Anita your questions for them to discuss on the show.
Please remember to like the show if you enjoyed it, comment your thoughts, and subscribe if you're new to the channel!
Timecodes:
00:30 Anita on England U23s International break
02:20 Fara still recovering from Wembley day
03:05 Renee Slegers given the Arsenal job until Christmas
04:00 Anita “Slegers has done enough”
05:30 Fara compares Slegers situation to Arteta
07:50 Slegers relationship with players
11:00 Managers using a psychologist for pressure
12:20 New manager would be starting from scratch
13:00 Bunny Shaw WSL stats
14:30 Filling Ellen White’s shoes, coached by Shaun Goater
16:30 Anita still has “trauma” from playing vs Shaw
17:50 How do you defend Bunny Shaw?
20:00 What is Bunny Shaw’s biggest strength?
21:30 Bunny Shaw doesn’t get the hype she deserves
24:00 Why has no bigger team come in for Shaw?
26:15 Is Bunny Shaw the best WSL striker currently/ever?
28:30 Ranking current WSL strikers
29:45 Ranking best WSL strikers of all time
32:10 Anita on chat with Grace Williams at Crystal Palace
34:30 Can Crystal Palace stay up?
37:00 Anita on mentally dealing with a relegation battle
39:00 Analysing which teams could go down
40:00 How are Aston Villa so low down the WSL table?
42:00 Fan Question: Should Robert de Pauw be sacked?
45:20 Fan Question: Are there more post-retirement options now for players?
48:00 WSL predictions
#wsl #BWSL #Lionesses #Football #FaraWillaims #Womansfootball #LaurenJames #Bethmead #Leahwilliamson #CholeKelly #Viviannemiedenma #Lucybronze #Russo #laurenhemp #Millebright #Contecup #Championleague #UWCL #AnitaAsante

[@BootsBallsBras]

00:30 Anita on England U23s International break 02:20 Fara still recovering from Wembley day 03:05 Renee Slegers given the Arsenal job until Christmas 04:00 Anita “Slegers has done enough” 05:30 Fara compares Slegers situation to Arteta 07:50 Slegers relationship with players 11:00 Managers using a psychologist for pressure 12:20 New manager would be starting from scratch 13:00 Bunny Shaw WSL stats 14:30 Filling Ellen White’s shoes, coached by Shaun Goater 16:30 Anita still has “trauma” from playing vs Shaw 17:50 How do you defend Bunny Shaw? 20:00 What is Bunny Shaw’s biggest strength? 21:30 Bunny Shaw doesn’t get the hype she deserves 24:00 Why has no bigger team come in for Shaw? 26:15 Is Bunny Shaw the best WSL striker currently/ever? 28:30 Ranking current WSL strikers 29:45 Ranking best WSL strikers of all time 32:10 Anita on chat with Grace Williams at Crystal Palace 34:30 Can Crystal Palace stay up? 37:00 Anita on mentally dealing with a relegation battle 39:00 Analysing which teams could go down 40:00 How are Aston Villa so low down the WSL table? 42:00 Fan Question: Should Robert de Pauw be sacked? 45:20 Fan Question: Are there more post-retirement options now for players? 48:00 WSL predictions

[@Agba_James25]

I find it unfair when people draw parallel comparisons between Renée and Mikel in terms of experience before Mikel became the Arsenal Men’s head coach. Renée’s qualifications far exceed what Mikel had at the time he was appointed. Mikel had zero head coaching experience before taking on the Arsenal job. Whereas, Renée had already been a head coach at Limhamn Bunkeflo, Sweden's U23 national team manager, and led FC Rosengård to back-to-back league titles in 2021 and 2022. In my opinion, Renée has everything required to succeed in the head coach role and more importantly, she has the support of both the players and the fans. The hesitation to appoint her permanently likely stems from familiarity bias-if she weren’t Eidevall’s assistant, no one would question her ability after she’s won 7 of 8 matches, scored 24 goals, and conceded just 2 in that process.

[@3littlebirdss]

Finally someone talking about the underrated Bunny Shaw. She is probably the best striker (or player) in the world right now (all rounded player, pace, skills, strength, finishing, penalty, header, stamina, defender on set pieces, etc.) probably we will never see another striker like her. Someone who is built like Bunny comes around once every 50 years. Sam Kerr has done a lot for the game as well she deserves her flowers one of the greatest of all time.

[@breathe7759]

Um she flopped against Chelsea. Ramirez > shaw

[@erictaylor2831]

@@3littlebirdss nice to see someone talking sense on here.

[@MinaV786]

Slegers for manager! She clearly has the dressing room and the squad playing for her, themselves and the fans again. Something the previous manager didn't have toward the end of his tenure.

[@bryantemple3382]

Solskjær and Manchester United… is there a comparison?

[@yvonnefoster8181]

I think Renee has served enough time learning under different managers .the recent results & performances should guarantee her the job at least until the end of the season

[@yvonnefoster8181]

Bunny is definitely underrated . Her stats speak for themselves. City not a big club?! That hurt lol

[@Your-Neighbors351]

Look at Sarina Wiegmans these two have so much common, and it wouldn't surprise me if Sarina is the example of Renee, I don't doubt for a moment that Renee can't coach at a higher level with this team , and mentality the will go very far, I'm Dutch not a arsenal fan but it's great to see this team to pl

[@Leornianæfre]

I’d say in terms of honours won I’d say Meidema and Kerr. However, at this moment in time Shaw and Ramirez are in the top three best strikers in all of football.

[@Pipetje77]

That's your opinion and that's fine. I think it's already quite impressive how she turned the team around. She lacks experience in the Champions League, but as manager for Rosengard she won the league two consecutive times and one of those years they also won the cup, so ahe has experience. I agree with you she has to proof herself, but so would have any new manager who came in for the new season, since past results don't guarantee anything (although managers are also dependent on what new players are club brings in). Coming further in the Champions League then City is where you loose me again, because then again they are dependent on City (I myself thought there was a pretty good chance City could get to the second round, but I would have never thought they could beat Barca at home). So doing better then City in the Champions League is dependent on how City themselves will be preforming (there're some good players with something to prove coming back after the winter break), what new players Arsenal (greatly dependent on what they can spend, what new players are interested and what Clair Wheatley can do) and City can get during the winter break, if there are any long term injuries (although a good manager should be able to protect their players partly by rotating) and last but not least the luck of the draw. So doing better then City or Chelsea in the Champions League is also not a fair assessment to me.

[@WhozItTV]

I agree, the lack of interest in Bunny Shaw from the worlds top clubs is baffling she is a very complete striker who bags a boat load of goals, she scored loads in france too.

[@MarkPress-ge9nm]

Sam Kerr clears all the other strikers in the WSL, no one will ever match what she did

[@stephenboley3487]

Can you believe Sam Kerr wasn't even mentioned once

[@southwestkinema9149]

@@stephenboley3487 Prime. Vivianne Miedema and Bunny Shaw are better than her. Put Bunny Shaw in the Chelsea team Kerr had backing her she scores more goals imo. Love to the family.

[@TraceyTLondon]

Renee is connecting with the players on an emotional level that's what's boosting their confidence. Her being a Woman naturally adds to the understanding between the two, so I'd like her to stay on for that reason. Bunny is formidable, doesn't get the credit she deserves. I think her PR people need to work on getting her name spoken about in the same circles as Kerr, etc. Get her on some high profile sports ads.

[@rainbowsoundtrackrst445]

Good podcast. Here some ideas... Why not putting some photos or vids whlie discussing. Dont get me wrong , Just ideas and i love this show😄

[@aknelson229]

They'd better not replace Renée with some mediocre man like Cushing. Fans will riot.

[@danielaesposito8315]

The Sam Kerr disrespect. I can't wait until she's back and making you change this list 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@zeitgeist3829]

We also have to consider what position Arsenal would be in on the WSL table now based on the results achieved during the period of her reign. Arsenal is only behind from Chelsea and City based on results achieved under Jonas.

[@Vinceplays042]

Sam kerr is BWSL superstar both by performance, goals and her image, how come nobody mentioned her name, twice golden boots winner

[@activeacid9801]

Sam Kerr for me is ahead of Shaw in this discussion …

[@elloco-q3h]

LOL. Sam Kerr has NOT been near a football pitch for a year now. Shaw keeps deliverying week in, week out!

[@EdmondDantesTyler]

Palace need top level WSL experienced defenders/ defensive midfielders coming in on loan in transfer window and a new ( if they have one ) defensive coach. Our defence and midfield are too naive. We need to be able to shut the door and close out games which we have failed to do or even change to a defensive wall in any game when ahead or drawing. We do not have the top level level headed player who can calm down and give confidence to these young players. Manager needs to demand that the owners take this seriously and back her in transfer market otherwise we will be back in the WSL2 ( Championship ) and to get back out again will be difficult. We need a top defensive coach to get us to park the bus when required. Loan possibilities: Mannion and Ladd from Utd on loan. Ladd needs to be playing regularly before Euros which will not happened under Skinner. Coombs from City as Taylor has made it clear she is 3rd choice at City. Also go for Kurhl as she is sitting on the bench at Arsenal being wasted. ( plus Blanchard contract runs out this summer ) Get Kelly from City on loan. She needs to advertise herself for move in the summer and needs to get in form for the Euros and Taylor has made it clear that she is his no.3 choice City and that is not going to change. You may laugh but she will shine at Palace and City would never loan her to a big club in competition with City. It would be a win win for both Chloe and Palace. Palace owners have to step up and back the womens team as we have problems in our defensive unit and unless it resolved we are rely on other teams being worse than us. We have shown great promise, but we cannot ignore the giving away so many chances. Fear Utd game could be similar to the Chelsea game!!

[@alansmithee8831]

Hello Fara and Anita. I hope Bunny plays away at Barcelona, which I hope is as good as the game in Manchester.

[@rob1969in]

Don't get the obsession with Russo,and how does Sam Kerr not get a mention? Also how is Beth England not in the team of the week? has she upset you? West Ham have an outstanding player in Pavi, if she stays fit then they will stay up ,if they don't hopefully Brighton will sign her and Cuthbert from Chelsea if she doesn't get another contract!Great to see the absolute legend Eni Aluko get a mention, she was on a different level.

[@radiata88]

They didn't discuss the best XI of the week, probably didn't pay much attention to Spurs. They just addressed this season and the best of all time. It was an impromptu thought, there were so many, it's normal to not think of one of them at the moment

[@rob1969in]

@radiata88 I was talking about the team of the week they posted on Instagram

[@imaginethree0]

Maybe it's that Edu left and don't want to make major moves as they transition.

[@truegunner7223]

I think Arsenal still don't have enough data to appoint Renee Sledgers on a permanent basis. I think the Club would give enough time to prove her credentials till the end of this season.

[@HassanElmi]

Sam Kerr......Sam Kerr........Sam Kerr 🦘🦘🦘🦘🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@AdekpeMargaretujor]

Arsenal shouldn,t giver her The job yet,untill we play bayern and beat them😊

[@erictaylor2831]

Ramirez and Shaw are different class to Russo.Pity Shaw couldn't have played for England.If City are paying her enough money why would she want to move.

[@southwestkinema9149]

Lol. Russo is a better footballer than both of them. Stop talking out your arse.

[@erictaylor2831]

@southwestkinema9149 think you are the arse hole here

[@Mickey-ks7tv]

what has shaw actually won for city, you see a striker like Kerr who performs in big games and you doubt that shes the best striker the wsl has ever had?

[@radiata88]

Football is a team sport, dont rely on a striker to win the title, Sam hasn't come back yet no matches of course doesn't count for this discussion, , they focus on Shaw being the most consistent striker in these two seasons, strangely, she doesn't have much of a reputation tbh in these two seasons feel like Shaw is only one striker in man city. last season Because Shaw was injured City did not win the title, Chelsea won the title when Sam was also injured so they rely on the team ,not one striker like sam to win the title, the focus is still the team , even if City's striker's number one or two can not win the title because Chelsea is a better team

[@MrJonathanDWDuffus]

Renee slegers for permanent àrsenal women's coach, Renee has really transformed the àrsenal women's team since jonas left earlier in the campaign. Àrsenal truly incredible awesome amazing àrsenal the greatest team ever on the entire planet àrsenal onwards upwards àrsenal all the way up àrsenal no1 top team àrsenal have that winning mentality 2 win major trophies àrsenal rock at all levels àrsenal the greatest team ever on the entire planet àrsenal have matchwinners natural born leaders team winners team leaders dedicated hardworkers àrsenal playing football from paradise special shoutouts 2 all our beautiful gorgeous ebony àrsenal Superwomen rise 2 the very top àrsenal Sistas all the very best àrsenal at all levels Adiós COYG FOYS Smooth Rnb Singer Songwriter Duff 04 JD King Of The Assists.

[@stevieg5907]

Renee was an assistant for Jonas thats why they haven't made her the manager. She still has his philosophy in her. Arsenal should wait and get it right. If they finish 2, then I would make it official, but 3rd probably not. Also, Arteta might not make it another season. The interim to manager pipeline is played out.

[@Agba_James25]

The way you say it with so much certainty, one would think you’re actually the Arsenal board chairman, making the final decisions.

[@stevieg5907]

@jamesagba8604 I stated facts. She was Jonas assistant. Arsenal was creating chances under Jonas, but now they have started finding the net. In my opinion, Arsenal would have won most of these games if Jonas was still there. They need to find the person that will get them past the 3rd spot. If Renee can do that, then great. Give her the job. However, I wouldn't rush this decision just because of a good month and a half. An audition year is a good way to prove her worth and skill, in my opinion. If she wants the job, then she needs to get them second in the league and go further than City in Champion league. The bar is high because that's what they need to be competing for. Anything under that is not good enough.

[@stevieg5907]

@@Agba_James25 I stated Facts. She was Jonas assistant. Arsenal was creating chances under Jonas, but they finally started converting them. So I believe if Jonas was still there they would have won the majority of games that Renee has won. Arsenal has been stuck in 3rd place limbo for years now. If Renee can finish 2nd in the league and finish further than City in champions league then I would give her the job. Anything else would not be good enough. So yeah Arsenal should wait the year out and see where they finish before making a decision on this. IN MY OPINION.

[@Pipetje77]

You're forgetting one thing to finish second or first they are dependent on City (4 points in front, under Jonas it was more but City lost to Chelsea) and Chelsea (9 points in front) to drop points. Even if Arsenal wins both the matches against City and Chelsea and every other match for the rest of the season they are still dependent on City and Chelsea to drop points. So Renée and Arsenal don't have it in their own hands to finish second or first, which was already the case before Jonas left. Yes, they drew one time but City lost to Chelsea and Chelsea didn't loose. So I don't think you can hold Renée accountable for that.

[@stevieg5907]

@Pipetje77 your right. If they can't get 2nd position mathematical thats fine. We can't blame her for those losses, but she can prove her ability by beating chelsea and City in their next meetings. That would prove she's the right choice, in my opinion. Also, if they go further than City in Champion league, that would solidify her right to the position. She has to prove herself in big games and big competition to keep the job (to me).

[@gothamfootball]

Sam Kerr easily. Shaw cannot lace Sam Kerr’s boots

[@Sharor-s3c]

Stop dream khadija shaw more cynical than sam kerr Chelsea got better players around sam kerr than khadija shaw at city look more players in Chelsea team score more goal that man city players khadija shaw score most of the goals for city

[@barclayswsltv]

@@Sharor-s3c Sam Kerr already has 2 golden boots in the WSL..she is clincal and also a big game player

[@niotnt9779]

I 💯 agree Khadija "Bunny" Shaw is definitely unrated. I don't know what Bunny has to do to get recognized. She defends when needed. How many strikers between men and women can properly defend. We know her ability to score in and out of the box. ⚽🥅 Sad to say Bunny might need to leave to get some simple RESPECT and Recognization. 😰

[@Agba_James25]

Shaw is already earning recognition at the level she's competing at. If by 'recognition' you mean English media hype, she won't get much of that because she’s not playing for the Lionesses. To be in Ballon d’Or conversations, she needs to win significant trophies like the WSL, Champions League, or a major world championship. The former is slightly more attainable for her, though still a very challenging task.

[@niotnt9779]

@@Agba_James25 I believe you should direct your comment @BootsBalls&Bras too. Because they are also saying that she isn't being recognized. Which I 💯% agree with. Fara also stated in the podcast she wasn't being recognized because she wasn't Lionesses. Fara and Anita also stated that Manchester City's Feminine could do better. In My opinion, Khadija never be considered for the Ballon d'Or.

[@breathe7759]

Ramirez > shaw