Ben Haines, club TV presenter and women’s football presenter, will sit down with us ahead of every WSL home game this season to provide his insight on the upcoming fixture and the news around the league.
It’s good to be back! It’s always really special to get to see so many of our squad featuring for their nation but there’s always a little Spurs shaped hole in the weekends when we don’t play. One of the things about the international break that tends to go under the radar is that whatever result you finish on, it seems to take on double the significance because of the amount of time before you can get back out on the pitch. So, fantastic news for Spurs fans that we’re in such brilliant form and ended on a strong win against Birmingham City last time out
Holdt’s tremendous start
It’s so tough to pick players to watch out for this weekend given how many outstanding performers we’ve had so far this season, but we have to talk about Olivia Holdt. Her two finishes last time out were just outrageous. She showed so much composure and class on both of those, sitting the goalkeeper down both times and finishing with the sort of confidence that has us all buzzing to watch her once again.
Another clean sheet
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I think we also need to talk about our defence again. Tōko and Clare are building a formidable partnership at the heart of defence and it was brilliant to see our full-backs flying as well. Josefine Rybrink made an impressive return to the backline and it was fantastic to see Amanda Nilden on the scoresheet with that gorgeous right footed curling finish.
The threat Liverpool still pose
In terms of our opponents this weekend, it’s not been an easy start for them. If you saw their first game of the season against Everton, or against London City Lionesses or even their defeat at the hands of Man City, they were all incredibly tight games. They’re a side eager to be in possession and to play out from the back but at times, though, that’s left them vulnerable to a counterattack or an error that has opened up opportunities for opponents.
Against Everton on matchday one, they were the better side for large parts of the game but found themselves on the receiving end of some ruthless counterattacking. Against London City Lionesses, that eagerness to play out from the back left them with no room for error and ultimately conceded very late on. It’s those fine margins going the wrong way that have left them currently 11th in the table - although they have played a game less than West Ham - and desperate for some momentum.
A look ahead to Sunday's clash
However, they are coming to Brisbane Road to face a Spurs side that has been incredibly resilient at the back, with three clean sheets in the league so far while, at the other end, we’re starting to click going forward. Fingers crossed we can pick up from where we left off.
Finally, I wanted to send lots of love and support to Maite Oroz who has started her journey to recovery from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Everyone is behind you Maite and we’re keeping everything crossed for a full and speedy recovery.