Both Everton and Leeds line up for the FA Women's Premier League Cup Final with squads laden with experience, quality and no shortage of young talent. All three of those labels are fitting of Fern Whelan, Everton's central defender. Having joined Everton from Liverpool in the summer of 2005, Fern went on to win the FA Young Player of the Year award for the 07-08 season but then suffered a serious knee injury, not long after. She recovered to captain England's U-20s at the World Cup in Chile and recieved her first call up to the England senior squad in October 09 - a call that was surely more gratefully received than when SheKicks came sniffing for a chat today...


SK: You looking forward to tomorrow's game?
FW: Yeah, I'm really excited. It feels like it's been a long time coming, since we got through to the final. It's a big occasion.

SK: Has it been frustrating having so few games in the league, so far this season?
FW: Yes, definitely. We've tried to use games as preparation but it's been difficult because it's been so 'on-off'. We have only played seven league games in seven months, that's only one game per month! We have tried to use club training and 5aside footie to combat the time inbetween games but we can't control the weather.

SK: What is the plan for pre-match tomorrow, will it be any different from the norm?
FW: Well, we were given the choice as to whether we wanted to prepare individually or as a team and just meet at the ground, ready for the game. We decided to prepare as a team, meet up around midday (I've got the day off Uni) and then travel to Rochdale together. Then we'll just get to the ground and do our usual warm up and play our usual game.

SK: Will there be music on the coach?
FW: We sometimes have team CDs made for the coach, if not we listen to our own stuff on our ipods or whatever and then when we get to the groun we'll usually play a team selection.

SK: Who gets to choose what's on it?
FW: Everyone gets to choose a track, though Jill [Scott] tries to pick them all and hogs the CD player but we're trying to ween her off doing that so much. Ha. I have my own playlist I listen to - at the moment it has a few from the sound track from the film 'Step Up' - as long as it's upbeat, really.

SK: Everton are generally considered as favourites. Does that give you confidence or add pressure?
FW: Some people might like to think of it in those terms but it doesn't change anything. We haven't even played Leeds this season; they've played teams we have played and have had different results. We lost to Chelsea but they beat them, for example. Whenever we play Leeds it's always a tough game, a good game, they're always pretty close.

SK: You have played in some games that were massive occasions (in Chile for U-20s, against the hosts and a huge crowd) , does that help you, going into the final?
FW: I think so, definitely. Those experiences help you along the way. I've played in a European Final (U-19) and it helps you get used to these kinds of games and you learn how to handle it.

SK: Having missed out on playing in the 2008 Premier League Cup Final win over Arsenal, this must have an extra element of importance to you?
FW: Of course. I don't want to miss out again and although I joined in and enjoyed the celebrations (which people no doubt saw), it's just not the same as being out there and doing your bit for the team and playing for the club. I want to prove I deserved to be there then too.

SK: It happens a lot through a Premier League season and it will happen tomorrow evening but it must be wierd coming up against your team mates/mates from England youth squads/teams?
FW: It is a bit crazy as you can be mates all through the week and then you get to a game and noone speaks to you, ha. We all understand though, that we're out for our club and you're doing your business. Afetrwards we're friends again.

SK: Has there been any trash talking in the build up?
FW: Not as yet, not that I've heard anyway.

SK: Lastly, just for fun, if you were to put money on which team mate of yours would be first goalscorer in the final, who would it be?
FW: JOHNNO! [Lindsay Johnson, her central defensive partner.] Ha ha!
Actually, now I've said that she'll go and rocket in a header or something. We will work out set-pieces on the day but we usually go up for alternate corners, so we will see.
Our top scorer this season has been Tash [Natasha Dowie] though - she can't stop scoring - so hopefully she will be on form in front of goal again.

SK: Thanks Fern!