Why Sarina Wiegman deserves ‘fair criticism’ over Maya Le Tissier’s role with England and my time at historic FA Cup tie - Fara Williams column

In her latest exclusive column for TNT Sports, England legend Fara Williams breaks down her thoughts on the rumbling debate around Maya Le Tissier's role with the Lionesses following their defeat to Brazil on the weekend. She also breaks down the importance of the FA Cup in the women's game and her reaction to the first-round tie between Middlesbrough and Cheadle Town Stingers.

Former England international Fara Williams will be providing exclusive insight and analysis for TNT Sports for the 2025/26 campaign. In her latest column, she speaks about the ongoing debate around Maya Le Tissier's best position when playing for the Lionesses after starting as a right-back in England's defeat to Brazil. Williams also talks about the importance of the women's FA Cup this season. Watch the women's and men's FA Cup, Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

My opinion on Le Tissier’s role with Lionesses

There has been a lot of discussion after Maya Le Tissier was deployed at right-back for the majority of England’s 2-1 defeat against Brazil on the weekend. In my previous column, I wrote about how the Manchester United defender deserved a chance to start at centre-back for The Lionesses and how she has the potential to replace the recently retired Millie Bright.

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The issue is that there are a lot of good centre-halves in the squad right now, with the likes of Jess Carter, Esme Morgan and Alex Greenwood. Maybe Sarina Wiegman is thinking about who else we can play in that position with Lucy Bronze unavailable for selection.

Maya certainly has the attributes as a player to fit into the right-back role and play up and down that flank, but club level is so different to international level. With Maya not playing on a regular basis at right-back for her club, she could find herself exposed in that position with The Lionesses because it’s much more difficult to play an unnatural position.

There’s no doubt that centre-back is her natural position, and she is thriving in that role at Manchester United. I also don’t like that Greenwood is being pushed out into the left-back area because I would personally play her as a centre-back.

It’s difficult for Maya because she has to be patient, and I’m sure, like most players, she is willing to play anywhere for her country and that’s the mindset that you need when you’re representing England.

The difficulty is that there is a lot of competition at centre-half, so I don’t think that Sarina is wrong in playing her at right-back, but I would like to see Maya play in that position for The Lionesses.

Man Utd recently caused a stir on social media when they detailed how many games Maya has played for the club as a centre-back, so I think it’s fair to question Sarina’s decision.

Maya has earned her call up to the national team due to her great performances at centre-half, not because of the way she has performed at right-back. But, of course, how can you not trust Sarina?

She has helped England win back-to-back European titles and guided us to the World Cup final, as well as winning the Finalissima last year. She’s the one who sees the players up close in training, so it’s very difficult to challenge her decision-making.

But in this instance, I think it’s fair to criticise, because the expectation is that these players are selected based on their club form and Maya has thrived at centre-back for Man Utd, so you would assume that is where she will play at international level.

My time at historic first-round FA Cup tie

The Adobe Women’s FA Cup means so much to the game because the final was the only match to be televised back in the day. When we were playing, we were always motivated to reach the final and showcase our skills to the nation.

But times have changed now, and it was great to be part of TNT Sports where we broadcast a first-round tie for the first time in the competition’s history, as Middlesbrough defeated Cheadle Town Stingers.

Ferguson gives Boro the lead from the spot after 'a big call' from referee

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was an education for all of us who haven’t been to a lower-tier game for a while. I think that the game had some really good football, and it was like a boxing match where styles make fights. I really enjoyed the way that both teams approached the game, and it was a really interesting watch.

I didn’t know what to expect in terms of the tactical side of the game, but both teams had a clear identity. It was exciting to see how Cheadle played two strikers, which is rare in the modern game, and how connected the players were to the 5-3-2 system.

Boro played with a more conventional 4-3-3, but the wide players enjoyed so much freedom and were allowed to have those one v one duels with the full-backs. Given the short space of training time that they have together, the tactical aspect surprised me the most.

'What a volley!' - Watt fires home to double Boro's advantage

Video credit: TNT Sports

When you’re a full-time player, it becomes a bit easier to adopt tactics because you’re together all the time, but it was great to see that both teams were well coached and understood their own roles and responsibilities. There were also a lot of young players involved, so to get that exposure at such a young age, it could be a pathway for them to move on and work their way up to the professional game.

I remember playing for Chelsea in the FA Cup against Arsenal when I was a teenager – around 14-15-years old - and we had to face legends like Rachel Yankey & Marieanne Spacey, and we got battered 11-1.

We were like schoolgirls coming up against big women, and we just got run all over the park, and it showed me why Arsenal were so dominant during that period. However, that experience was such an eye-opener for me to understand what was required to be an elite player in the women’s game.

I was going into the game thinking that I’m better than these players because, as a youngster, you genuinely don’t realise the different levels of the game until you’re exposed to it. But that was a big game in my career despite the result, because I was able to showcase my abilities, and I was starting to get a lot of recognition after that cup tie.

Watt 'absolutely buzzing' with top-corner volley and aiming high in FA Cup

Video credit: TNT Sports

It’s important to note that good players will always stand out and there’s a chance some players will go through similar experiences in this season’s competition if they get the opportunity to play against the big clubs.

Showcasing the lower-tier teams in the early stages of the FA Cup this season is fantastic.

I hope it hasn’t changed for the younger generation, but growing up, the FA Cup was all about getting to Wembley up those famous stairs, and in the women’s game, the televised games didn’t take place at the national stadium back in the day.

But nowadays, we know the final will take place at Wembley and that makes it extra special, and it’s an added motivation for everyone involved.

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Watch and stream The Adobe Women’s FA Cup 2025/26 FA Cup season live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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