MANCHESTER, England, CMC – Hot-shot Reggae Girl Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has hailed the impact working with former Bermuda, and Manchester City star Shaun Goater has already had on her game for City’s women’s team.
With 16 goals in as many matches in all competitions this season, Shaw has been in spectacular form for City, adding to her tally with an impressive hat-trick in Sunday’s 7-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Sheffield United.
On occasion, Goater – nicknamed “The Goat” by fans during his spell with City that ended 20 years ago – has lent his expert insight to help further the Spanish Town-born Shaw’s game, manager Gareth Taylor revealed recently.
It looks to be working, too, with Shaw, who turns 26 on Tuesday, scoring four goals across the four matches that have followed the winter break.
Speaking of how enjoyable it is working with 52-year-old Goater – who netted 103 goals for City between 1998 and 2003 and is now on the club’s Academy coaching staff – Shaw told the club website: “It’s good [working with Goater]. Whenever I see him around, I ask him questions, and he gives me little tips on improving on the field.
“I try to improve and see if I can put it on the pitch, and it’s working, so shoutout to Shaun!”
One aspect of Shaw’s game Taylor is hoping Goater can help enhance is her overall movement inside and outside the box. And Shaw revealed the advice the former fans’ favorite had passed on so far.
She added: “It’s just about second movements in the box.
“You make your first movement, you might not get the ball, so it’s just about checking, and if you don’t get the ball, make a second movement to see if you can open up space, not only for myself but for my teammates.
“So I think that’s the biggest thing he’s told me.”
Taylor believes G oater’s years of experience will stand Shaw in good stead as she continues to hone her craft.
“The Bunny and Shaun [partnership] is in its infancy but something I was considering quite a bit around November,” Taylor said.
“Sometimes, when you’re fortunate enough to work in an organization like this, there’s lots of expertise. Sometimes we don’t tend to look at what others might bring.
“Shaun was a different type of striker. He worked hard on his movements and was good at them—one run for the defender, one for the ball.
“When you have expertise under your nose as we have, there are always good opportunities to sync people up and learn from them.
“She can work on movement within the box, and we’ve leaned on him [Shaun] to help her out and have some good conversations, potentially going through some clips with her individually.
“With his Bermudian connection and Khadija being Jamaican, there’s a perfect harmony between them.
“It’s brilliant, and Shaun’s a great guy. I loved my time with him. We had a perfect team dynamic.
“Shaun became a legend at the club, and rightly so. You couldn’t wish for a nicer guy. He’s a fun guy to be around.”
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