Beth England’s return to the Tottenham Women fold has arrived at the perfect time for Robert Vilahamn
Tottenham Women boss Robert Vilahamn is set to be boosted by the timely return of club captain Bethany England after seeing goals dry up in recent weeks.
Following such an impressive start to the season, which saw Spurs win four of their first five games and score 17 goals in the process, the loss of England to injury suddenly didn’t seem as detrimental as it could have.
Martha Thomas was leading the line in England’s absence and leading it well, charging to the top of the WSL scoring charts with six goals in her first four games. However, in recent weeks, the wheels have started to come off ever so slightly in north London.
Vilahamn’s side found themselves on a run of three consecutive 1-1 draws in the WSL, three games that they arguably should have won, and while they did get back to winning ways with a 3-0 cup win over Bristol City Women, they were then thrashed 7-0 by Manchester City Women upon their return to WSL action.
After such a high-flying start to the season, a run of six goals in five games will have raised alarm bells around Hotspur Way and left Vilahamn scratching his head as to how he will get his side firing again.
The answer to that question, however, might have just landed right in the Swede’s lap.
Following hip surgery in early September, England had not been seen since her substitute appearance during the Lioness’ World Cup final defeat to Spain on 20 August. The striker has now made her return to action for Tottenham 14 weeks later, scoring four goals and assisting a fifth during a training ground friendly against the Gibraltar national women’s team at Hotspur Way on Friday 1 December.
This will serve as a timely reminder to Vilahamn that not all hope is lost, despite the downturn in form, and goals are on their way in the form of his club captain, who scored 12 in 12 upon her arrival in north London during the second half of last season, helping to steer her side to safety.
After an extended spell on the sidelines, England will certainly be hungry and raring to get going again, something she detailed while speaking via Spurs’ official website (5 December), “I’m just so glad I’m back and able to play some part before the end of the year, and whatever I can bring, I’ll bring it for the team.
“We’ve huge games coming up and I just want to get back on the pitch and help the team in any way I can.”
And it is fair to say that the team could certainly use that help. Across the 1-1 draws with Everton Women, Liverpool Women and Leicester City Women, Spurs had a combined total of 24 shots on target, missing six big chances across the three games (Sofascore).
Goalscoring has clearly been the issue, and the return of a striker as clinical as England will therefore be massively welcomed.
In other Tottenham news, one Spurs expert has suggested the club must use last year’s “total humiliation” as “motivation” when they host Newcastle on Sunday.