Coach Kicks: Karen Hills (Charlton Athletic)

The magazine’s regular coaches’ questionnaire, taken by Charlton’s head coach. Her favourite session is a three-team possession practice full of transition and decision-making, high intensity and competitive, which she says the players enjoy too. The biggest impressions on her coaching career have come from opposite ends of the spectrum: players stepping up from semi-professional to full-time, and Alex Morgan, whose standards, aura and willingness to challenge coaches raised everyone around her. The car is no longer full of kit, now that the club has a proper facility. Asked which player she would have, she wants an English player from the older era – Kelly Smith, Fara Williams, Marieanne Spacey. Her advice is patience, hours on the grass, and not fearing mistakes.