Tottenham Hotspur head coach Robert Vilahamn is under no illusion about the mounting pressure surrounding his team as they face a daunting fixture against West Ham United in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday. With five consecutive losses behind them, the Lilywhites are grappling with the urgent need for results as they seek to reclaim their footing in the league. Yet, despite the precarious situation, Vilahamn remains resolute, prioritizing improvement over anxiety about his position.
The Tottenham manager addressed the media in anticipation of Sunday’s clash, emphasizing his unwavering focus on the task at hand rather than the uncertain ramifications of poor performance. “When five colleagues have lost their jobs, of course, it’s a lot but I can’t worry about that,” Vilahamn stated during the press conference. He expressed confidence in the club’s long-term vision and highlighted the incremental steps being taken amidst the current struggles.
“I don’t feel any pressure of being fired. If they want to fire me then do it but I’m doing my best and I feel like we are doing it together,” he continued, acknowledging the gravity of the situation while maintaining a pragmatic outlook. “We’ve had a lot of losses in a row... We do need to pick up some better results.” With the team’s performance trailing behind expectations, Vilahamn set his sights on the next six matches as pivotal to restoring morale and establishing momentum for future seasons.
Tottenham will be heading to The Chigwell Construction Stadium to face West Ham United in a London derby, kicking off at 12pm on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Vilahamn described his expectations for an exhilarating matchup. “It is always a really tough game against them,” he remarked. “They’ve had really good games against Arsenal and Manchester City.”
West Ham, having only recorded two defeats at home this season, presents a formidable challenge. “It’s their home and it’s a unique stadium,” Vilahamn added, recognizing their advantage. The Hammers have shown resilience, executing a dynamic pressing game and capitalizing on set pieces, making them a potent force in their surroundings.
As the manager of a relatively young Tottenham Women’s team, Vilahamn is cognizant of the limitations they face in comparison to more established clubs. “We’re very young as a Women’s team; we’re not close to the top teams in investments right now,” he explained. Although Vilahamn admitted that the club isn’t in a position to challenge the top teams in the league just yet, he remains hopeful about their potential for growth. “I want to make sure next year we are closer to that,” he affirmed.
Ahead of the crucial encounter, Vilahamn addressed the state of the squad, revealing that the only notable absentee is key forward Bethany England, whose absence is felt greatly. “One thing is her scoring goals, but another thing is how she leads the team, so obviously she’s a big loss,” he acknowledged. The manager emphasized the need for the team to regroup and creates more chances on goal as they prepare for the match.
With West Ham currently thriving, the manager's respect for their progress was palpable. “Rehanne [Skinner] is in her second year... they signed a lot of players over the last one-and-a-half years and they’re quite connected with how they want to play,” he noted. This familiarity gives West Ham a compelling edge as they look to continue their successful run.
In discussing Tottenham’s previous encounters with West Ham, Vilahamn acknowledged their competitive rivalry: “It’s very competitive; we haven’t smashed them or anything, they’re always competitive games.” He expressed hope for a return to form for his players, stating, “Hopefully we’ll get another one on Sunday where we can get back to our shape, where we can dictate games, create chances and score a lot of goals.”
The upcoming match against West Ham not only holds stakes in terms of league positioning but is also a test of character for Vilahamn and his team. If they fall short again, the concern heightens, as a loss could see them drop further down the table.
“If we lose, they’re going to pass us and if we win, we can create a gap,” Vilahamn summarized, reinforcing the importance of this match ahead of facing an opponent that he respects and knows well.
In the light of both a struggling performance and a rising opposition, Tottenham fans are undoubtedly hopeful for a revitalization of their team’s fortunes in this crucial encounter. As the clock ticks down to kick-off, the camaraderie and resilience demonstrated by the squad will be put to the ultimate test on Sunday.