KATHRYN BATTE: High-flying Tottenham Women are an attacking machine…they even have their own Ange Postecoglou in Robert Vilahamn
- Tottenham Women have been hugely impressive under Robert Vilahamn
- Vilahamn has drawn comparisons with Tottenham men’s boss Ange Postecoglou
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
For a brief moment on Saturday afternoon, Tottenham’s men’s and women’s teams were both top of the league.
Robert Vilahamn’s side have since been overtaken by Manchester City and Chelsea, but their nine points from a possible 12 is more than most would have expected at this stage.
We are still early in the season but Spurs already look like a team transformed.
There was little to cheer about in the 2022-23 campaign — which saw Rehanne Skinner sacked in March after nine straight defeats had plunged them into relegation trouble. Vicky Jepson, who had been Skinner’s assistant, guided them to safety — but it was clear a change was needed.
Vilahamn was brought in from Swedish champions BK Hacken and by the same recruitment team that hired Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham Women have been transformed under the guidance of coach Robert Vilahamn
Vilahamn has already drawn comparisons with Tottenham men’s manager Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham have played some entertaining football, with Vilahamn outlining his vision
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‘Tottenham want to play a style with the men’s team, the women’s team and the academy,’ Vilahamn said before the season got underway.
‘I think me and Ange try to do the same stuff with how to play, trying to be brave enough to play good, offensive football.
‘In the long run you’re going to see a Tottenham that dictate games, press high, want to lean forward and try to score a lot of goals.’
Both teams have certainly been playing entertaining football. Vilahamn’s side were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Chelsea on the opening day but registered 11 shots on target — the most any team have managed against the champions since 2013.
Vilahamn placed an emphasis on fitness in pre-season, with the 40-year-old claiming players were ‘not in the best shape’ in the previous campaign. His team already look fitter, stronger and their pressing style is reaping rewards.
One player who has been particularly impressive is Martha Thomas, who scored a hat-trick in Tottenham’s 4-2 victory over Aston Villa.
Thomas was brought in on deadline day in the hope she could fill the void left by last season’s top scorer Bethany England, who is not expected back from injury until next year.
The striker only managed one goal for Manchester United last term but already has six in four games for Spurs. Thomas is benefitting from playing in her first-choice position of centre forward, rather than on the wing where she spent most of her time in a United shirt.
Vilahamn team already look fitter and stronger, while their pressing style is reaping rewards.
Martha Thomas impressed for Tottenham against Aston Villa as she scored a hat-trick
Grace Clinton is excelling under Vilahamn and earned her first call-up to the England squad
‘Playing under someone that I know believes in me, that’s important, that’s when I play my best football,’ Thomas said after her hat-trick. ‘Playing in my actual position, things like that. (I’m) just sort of on a roll.
‘He (Vilahamn) has allowed us to have our own personality, as long as we stick with his style. He wants to press and be on the ball, be a possession team, and he’s got the right personnel for that. I think it’s exciting for us to sort of have that culture.’
Grace Clinton, who is on loan from United, is another player who is excelling under Vilahamn and the 20-year-old’s performances earned her a first call-up to the England squad last week.
‘If you give a good player the trust to play and self-confidence, you can see what she’s really made of,’ Vilahamn said of Thomas and Clinton.
‘Those national team players who are on the bench at the biggest clubs, sometimes you can find that in them if you give them the trust. You give them trust and they just shine.’
Much like Postecoglou, Vilahamn’s personality shines through when he speaks to the media and that is clearly translating to his players.
So, how far can they realistically go? Vilahamn’s aim before the start of the season was to finish around sixth and perhaps a run in one of the cup competitions. Their performances so far have shown that is more than a realistic possibility.
‘We shouldn’t expect Tottenham to win the league this year,’ Vilahamn said. ‘We need to make sure we show the supporters, the board members and everyone that we play better football.
‘We’re starting from the ground and it’s going to take perhaps two years but I’m going to take the time because I know in the long run you’re going to win games.’
So far, so good.
It’s a joke there’s still no host for next World Cup
Saudi Arabia announcing their desire to host the 2035 World Cup was a reminder that FIFA are yet to decide where the 2027 edition of the tournament will be played.
It is farcical that we already know the hosts of the men’s competition in 2030 but will not find out the location of the women’s in 2027 until next year. There are joint bids from the United States and Mexico and Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany as well as separate bids from Brazil and South Africa. You would like to think the chances of Saudi Arabia hosting it are slim given their stance on LGBTQ rights.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes said ‘high-level conversations’ would have to take place and that lots of work would be needed to ensure the safety of players, coaches and supporters.
Emma Hayes says ‘high-level conversations’ would be needed over holding the World Cup in Saudi Arabia
Jill Scott pays tribute to Euros rant with tattoo
As well as Chloe Kelly taking her shirt off to celebrate her winning goal, one of the most iconic moments of England’s Euro 2022 triumph was Jill Scott’s X-rated rant at Germany’s Sydney Lohmann.
Scott has now had the letters FOYFP tattooed on her midriff. If you know, you know. If you don’t know, search for it on YouTube.
Jill Scott shared a picture on TikTok of the tattoo on her midriff, which reads FOYFP
Scott went viral for shouting ‘F**k off you f***ing p***k’ at Germany midfielder Sydney Lohmann during the 2022 Women’s Euro final
Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nusken arrives by bike for Brighton clash
Sjoeke Nusken chose a modest mode of transport to Kingsmeadow before scoring her first goals for Chelsea. While some of her team-mates drive fancy cars, the German arrived for the Blues’ match with Brighton by bike. Nusken nearly collided with one of the match officials as she pulled up to the players’ entrance, to the great amusement of waiting fans. It proved to be the perfect preparation with the midfielder hitting two goals and assisting another in a 4-2 win.
After a headed goal and a left-footed finish, Nusken would have had a perfect hat-trick had Guro Bergsvand not deflected her right-footed shot into her own net. Nusken has impressed boss Emma Hayes since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer.
‘We knew what a talent she was,’ Hayes said. ‘We have to still work with her on balancing out some things, but it was a wonderful performance from a player who’s settled really well.’
Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nusken arrived by bike for the game against Brighton at Kingsmeadow
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.
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