Tottenham Women Expert shares new season verdict after positive start
Tottenham News are delighted to welcome women’s football expert Sion Misra as our guest blogger as he previews all the big talking points surrounding Tottenham Women ahead of the new WSL season.
Now, I predict not many WSL experts or casual fans would have predicted Tottenham to start the way they have done this season.
For those who did predict Spurs to be near the upper echelons of the table, you’re either; A) a hardened Tottenham fan who always believes the team will win every weekend, or B) had inside knowledge that the rest of us simply didn’t have.
If you don’t fall into either of those two categories, then congratulations to you.
Three games into the season, and Robert Vilahamn certainly seems to be moulding a team that is capable of shocking some bigger teams, but perhaps more importantly, have the attributes that allow them to be an exciting team to watch.
Let’s begin by looking back at that opening game, a game under the lights at Stamford Bridge.
It is a daunting prospect to play Chelsea at any time, but maybe it is better to test them out early on rather than when they are in full flow later on in the season.
While the Blues did run out as 2-1 winners, experts and fans alike all left West London talking about Tottenham.
On another day, Vilahamn’s side could have won that game. If Martha Thomas finishes a few more chances, if that final pass could have been threaded through a little quicker, if the defence didn’t lose concentration for the decisive second, it’s certainly not preposterous to say Tottenham would have defeated the champions on their own patch.
With a good performance under their belts, it was on to Bristol City. If Spurs were to show to doubters that they can avoid a relegation scrap, it was imperative to gain all three points against the Robins, and they duly delivered.
Dominant in possession, scoring goals, but also capitalising on errors the opposition were making. Admittedly, it does look like Bristol City are still adjusting to the pace of the WSL, but you have to beat what’s in front of you, and that’s exactly what Tottenham did.
And that brings us to last week, a trip to the AMEX to face Brighton. This was an Albion side who have garnered a lot of plaudits for their style of play and for their transfer window. So much so that a few have them as the darkest of dark horses this season.
Elisabeth Terland opened the scoring eight minutes in for the home side, but what impressed is Tottenham didn’t dwell and reflect on going behind, and instead kept their cool, played their football, and rallied back expertly.
Martha Thomas made it three goals in three WSL games, the on-loan Grace Clinton, who has looked phenomenal and thoroughly deserved her England call-up, scored a stunner, before a late goal from Ria Percival put the game to bed.
Six points out of a possible nine to start the campaign, and most fans would have bitten your hand off for that.
There seems to be a really positive vibe around the whole club, and there is a synergy between both the men’s and women’s sides.
Ange Postecoglou has brought the good times back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and belief in the Lilywhites has been at its highest for a number of seasons. The same can be said about the women’s team.
Vilahamn has brought this style and panache to the club when it really needed it. The players have responded,
and everyone looks to have a smile on their face when they play.
The biggest factor of all? All of this is happening without Beth England leading the line. At no point so far has the question been raised, could England have scored that? Could we be doing better with England? Of course, it’s always better to have your best player available, but players are stepping up and filling the void.
If this keeps happening, it is quite scary to think just what this team could be with England as its focal point.
A game against a pointless Aston Villa team rounds off the first block of games in the WSL. If Spurs can get at least a point from their visit to the Midlands at Sunday lunchtime, then it might be time to start believing that something special could happen this season.
In other Tottenham news, a forgotten Spurs full-back may feel like a new signing under Postecoglou.