Tottenham Hotspur Women are preparing to play against Liverpool at Brisbane Road on Sunday. They want to build on their recent win over Charlton Athletic in the FA League Cup. Last week, they drew with Aston Villa, and this raised concerns about their defense. Despite being ahead for most of the match, they struggled to create chances. In that game, they managed only four shots. Coach Robert Vilahamn was asked if he was worried about their attack. He said he wasn’t too concerned about it but focused on the team’s decision-making. He felt that poor decisions led to losing the ball and made it hard to create scoring opportunities.
Against Charlton, Spurs had a better performance. They took an early lead thanks to Luana Bühler. They conceded a goal just before halftime but regained control. Jessica Naz scored the winning goal shortly before the final whistle. Even with the win, the team’s finishing remained an issue, as they had a hard time converting their dominance into goals.
Injury updates show that Ella Morris is back in training but her availability for the weekend is uncertain. Other injured players are recovering, but they still need weeks to reach full fitness. The coach hopes to have more players available soon.
Looking ahead, Tottenham had two draws against Liverpool last season, even after taking the lead in both matches. Vilahamn respects Liverpool coach Matt Beard, noting his experience and success in the league. He expects a tough match where managing the game will be important. Liverpool has not won any matches this season but Vilahamn knows they will be ready to compete.
Young Canadian player Olivia Smith impressed with her performance against West Ham. Vilahamn acknowledged her aggressive pressing style. When asked if he would change his defensive strategy because of her, he said they would not adjust simply due to an opponent’s strengths. However, they need to remain aware of her threat.
Vilahamn has learned that the WSL features many strong players who make it tough to defend. He emphasized the importance of having a solid game plan, winning second balls, and covering the right spaces. He also noted the contributions of set-piece coach Chris Williams, who helps strengthen their defense in a league where set pieces are crucial.
Vilahamn sees the need for the squad to improve its game management. This has been evident not just in the matches against Liverpool last season but also in their recent game against Aston Villa. He stated that improving game management is essential to secure wins. He wants to ensure they can win games with a clearer margin, ideally 2-0 instead of just 1-0. He stressed the importance of scoring more goals to put games out of reach and to avoid dropping points.
The strong center-back partnership of Clare Hunt and Molly Bartrip has been beneficial for the team. Vilahamn highlighted their communication and impact on the rest of the squad. He believes they work well together but still have room for improvement when facing opposition pressure.
Jessica Naz has also been noted for her strength and speed. She scored her second goal of the season recently. Vilahamn believes she has the potential to be a top player in the league if she remains consistent and learns to handle more phases of the game. The upcoming matches will be crucial to see how the team develops and where they stand.
