Kelly Smith said she has really enjoyed been back on the training pitch after re-joining former club Arsenal as a coach.
Smith won 12 major honours over three spells in North London as a player and returned to a club as a coach last month, until the end of the season. Although Arsenal's challenge for the Barclays WSL title was ended by Chelsea, they will finish third and secure a Champions League place with a win over Aston Villa on the final day of the season.
The former England star, who won 117 caps for the Lionesses over 19 years, is combining the role with her punditry duties at Sky Sports Smith has quickly become an integral member of Jonas Eidevall's backroom staff, and told Mirror Football where she has focused her coaching efforts over during a crucial run for Arsenal.
"It's good to be back on the pitch," she said. "It has been a hectic period but really fun, especially with two young kids at home and managing childcare. But when I went to Sky and said I had this opportunity, they were very supportive.
"They knew the knowledge and experience I had could be valuable to Arsenal. In the studio observing the game, it is a bit of a helicopter viewpoint, but now I'm actually in it, on the training pitch I can help with my experiences. It has been a great experience.
"I've got closer again to the game. I've really enjoyed sitting in with Jonas (Eidevall) and his staff, working on team meetings, seeing how we can attack opponents, and getting that insight. I'm trying to work as a link between the players and the coaching staff, I think they need that.
"I've been there, done it and played for Arsenal, so hopefully they have all felt comfortable coming to me. I've also been working with the forwards, Stina (Blackstenius), Jodie Taylor and Victoria Pelova on their attacking movements in the final third and finishing techniques."
Having Smith's experience around the training ground has proven invaluable for the Gunners during a tough run of injuries. Even when missing the likes of Beth Mead, club captain Kim Little, Vivianne Miedema and England skipper Leah Williamson, Arsenal came very close to reaching the Champions League final in Eindhoven - only for German side Wolfsburg to win a thrilling semi-final in the closing minutes.
Such a cruel defeat could have derailed their late push for a top-three finish, but Smith explained how the players bounced back and have dealt with the injury crisis.
"We were so close, but the injuries and a depleted squad is the reason I feel we didn't get there," Smith added. "But the performance of the two legs against Wolfsburg I thought was outstanding. The team took it to the final minutes and only lost it with a late winner.
"The next day after that, the players were a bit down. But we had a meeting with a sports psychologist the next day and talked about how we were all feeling. Everyone was able to express themselves and then put that loss to bed.
"But big players have stepped up for us when we've lost so many to injury. Katie McCabe has been brilliant with her leadership on the training pitch, in particular. Lotte Wubben-Moy's performances and mentality is outstanding. She is only 24 but speaks up in meetings and is not afraid to give her opinion, she has really helped the team.
"The injured players also stay involved and are around the camp. Kim Little travelled up for the Everton game as captain recently, it really helps the whole group."
The injuries to Williamson and Mead will also be felt at international duty, when Smith's former side England head to the 2023 World Cup finals in Australia in just under two months. With Chelsea star Fran Kirby also out and Millie Bright facing a race to be fit, Lionesses' boss Sarina Wiegman could be taking a depleted squad. But although Smith admitted she was less confident than previously due to injuries, she still has faith in England's Dutch coach.
"Obviously Leah is a big loss," added Kelly. "And Fran Kirby is also a huge loss, she can see pictures in the final third that most players can't. We also have lost real experience with both Ellen White and Jill Scott retiring.
"I was really confident until Leah's injury. With Fran and Beth also out, I'm not sure they have the strength in depth and the experience you need. I pray Millie Bright is part of that squad and can go, because having your two main centre-backs out would be a massive problem.
"I'd like to see Rachel Daly back up front because her form in front of goal this season is incredible. But Sarina is the boss and maybe she can pull it all together like she did at the Euros, I don't think many were expecting us to win that either."
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Kelly Smith is a Barclays Football Ambassador
