Goodwin credits Daly and Haaland influence for goalscoring heroics

Sheffield United forward Isobel Goodwin says Erling Haaland and Rachel Daly have inspired her glut of goals this season.

The 21-year-old is the second-top scorer in the Women's Championship, netting 10 times in 13 appearances despite her team sitting in the bottom half of the table.

And having been taught a few tricks while training with Daly at Aston Villa prior to moving to South Yorkshire, she has also studied Manchester City talisman Haaland in her aim to perfect the art of scoring.

Goodwin told LiveScore: "Movement in the box is key.

"I watch a lot of Haaland and his movement is ridiculous. He scores a lot of goals but that's because of his movement.

"I also played with Daly at Villa and she was the Women's Super League Golden Boot winner last year. She is a very good player and training with her was incredible.

"It's taught me how to get on the end of things. I'm always aiming to set goals up as well as score but it's all about making sure you're in the right positions inside the area.

"I'm always looking for the goal, no matter what. I want to take as many shots as I can — I just wish all of them went in."

Natural instincts

Goodwin is putting the finishing touches on goalscoring instincts she has shown from a young age.

The former England Under-17s international recalls always wanting to find the net throughout her youth.

She said: "Even when I was much younger, playing with the boys, I would always score goals.

"I knew from a very young age I wanted to be a striker. I was always the one who scored seven goals when we won 8-0.

"It's always been natural for me. I think it's what I do best."

Now delivering in the professional game, Goodwin is aiming to continue her run against Lewes on Sunday.

The February Championship Player of the Month nominee scored a hat-trick last time out against Durham — but has been frustrated by a four-week break from matches, which she hopes does not disrupt her good form.

She said: "Coming off the hat-trick I just wanted to keep going and the team were in good form as well.

"Hopefully we can keep it up. We've really gelled as a team and that has helped me as the striker.

"That's the key to it, the team effort."

Career ambitions

Goodwin has WSL and international ambitions.

But she is in no rush to force the issue, believing Sheffield United is the best place for her to develop for now.

She said: "I want to play at as high a level as possible, obviously that would be the WSL.

"When you get to that stage, you never know. I look at what Grace Clinton and Khiara Keating have done from the England Under-23s, they've been amazing. Hopefully I can put myself in contention.

"But right now I'm very happy just working on my game and being the best I can be. I'm enjoying my football."