League Cup Kickoff
Grab a Subway sandwich and a Carabao energy drink; it's League Cup time.
(Side note: can any UK-based readers comment on how good [or bad] a Carabao drink actually tastes? Are they as popular as Red Bull is here in the States? I just always think it's funny that the only time I ever hear about Carabao is in conjunction with its League Cup sponsorship.)
After a last-minute announcement that there would, in fact, be a stream for the Women's match (classic Spurs Women communication), I got to enjoy the always disorienting experience of double-screening the games. Can I provide meaningful analysis of either match? No. Can I touch on some key highlights? Sure.
In this issue: Aston Villa recap | Doncaster Rovers recap | News from around the Lane
Time is of the essence anyway, so forgive the short recaps. Then there are just a few news tidbits before we look ahead to the weekend fixtures.
Women's LC Group Stage MD1 | Tottenham 0 - 0 Aston Villa
Spurs take the extra point with a 7-6 win in the penalty shootout
I have two main takeaways from this scoreless draw + penalty shootout win combination of a result.
- It was a good display of bounce-back mentality after the heavy defeat to Manchester City on the weekend, particularly in digging deep to claim the bonus PKs point.
- There are still issues to iron out in the attack, with an emphasis on decision-making in the attacking third.
I would always encourage y'all to listen to N17 Women (not least because we remain the only Tottenham fan podcast exclusively dedicated to the Women's team), but I thought my co-host Abbie asked a very thought-provoking question in this week's episode.
Abbie pulled a quote from Beth England's post-match interview after the City game, where England said she was angry about heads dropping after the goal concessions. She then asked the three of us if we agreed with that assessment of the players' response in-game. There's some nuance to it, but for the most part, we agreed that it wasn't a complete mental collapse like we saw in the City fixtures last season.
And I think that goes for the follow-up game as well. Aston Villa was not an easy opponent by any means, rather one that we should aim to be competing with directly in the mid-table of the WSL standings, but the players didn't let the disappointment from the previous match weigh on them or alter the game plan.
We should also factor in the confidence boost that Lize Kop surely got from making a penalty save against Bunny Shaw in the City game, which she was able to parlay into a strong performance in the penalty shootout to help secure the extra point.
Speaking of that bonus point, there were important stakes in the outcome of this first group stage game. With the other two teams in our group being lower division opponents, and both Spurs and Villa likely to take maximum points in our respective remaining fixtures, gaining the advantage in our head-to-head match was crucial. This penalty shootout win could very well be the difference between winning the group and failing to advance.
Plus, I don't think that keeping a clean sheet in regulation play in the match after such a lopsided defeat should be overlooked, morale-wise. When we're playing against a team with a more comparable level of squad talent and depth, we're perfectly capable of defending well. That's a marked improvement from last season.
As for the second takeaway, I must once again give a shoutout to Abbie for noting that our goals from open play so far this season have been the product of pressing effectively and forcing turnovers by the opposition. We've also seen improvement in set piece attacking, both in-season and in the pre-season friendlies, but otherwise, we're not exactly playing o jogo bonito just yet.
It's not for lack of quality buildup; we've seen some lovely passing sequences, and the midfield was far more effective against Villa than we saw against City. The breakdown was happening primarily in the attacking third, even once we had a player advantage due to Noelle Maritz's red card. We can probably chalk up some of the disconnect to lack of existing chemistry within this starting lineup, including a new signing (Cathinka Tandberg) and another player out of her usual position (Olga Ahtinen featuring at winger again).
For what it's worth, Matilda Vinberg looked the most likely to score. She was perhaps the brightest spark in the pre-season campaign but had a delayed start to the competitive season due to a knock, and this was her first start of the campaign. Vinberg certainly looks to have adapted to the new tactical system under Martin Ho. She's getting into the right positions to shoot, so hopefully the finishing will come soon.
A few PK shootout notes:
- In addition to making two saves, Kop stepped up to take a penalty as well and converted her kick.
- Tōko Koga's strategy of placement over power for her low shot made me very nervous, but she did make it, so rock on, Tōko.
- I never feel good about one of the youngest players taking the first penalty, and that worry bore out with Lenna Gunning-Williams being the only Spurs player to have her shot saved.
Notable & quotable:
• Martin Ho commented on the drama of the penalty shootout:
Penalties are the cruellest way of deciding games. I don’t envy anyone in those situations—I don’t even enjoy watching them! But the players who stepped up showed real courage and personality. It’s a pressured moment, and I’m proud of them. Lize made two brilliant saves and even scored a penalty herself - she’s effectively won us the game.
He then elaborated on Kop in his most recent press conference:
She’s a brave goalkeeper. She prides herself on those really big moments. I want to make sure when we come into those, Lize can take the headlines, and she certainly has on the two occasions that we’ve seen.
• Lize Kop was quite animated in describing her celebration after scoring herself in the shootout.
Of course, it was a goal—I had to celebrate my first goal, so why not! Even though we didn’t win at that moment, mentally it helps to celebrate those little moments.
• Shortly after the game, Jess Naz posted that she had been subjected to racist abuse on social media. The club stood behind Jess and condemned the behavior, and so should we all. Jess is one of our own, the second-most tenured player in the squad, and the club's first homegrown Lioness. Anyone who can't support her with pride and respect is not worthy of being a Spurs fan.
Men's LC Round 3 | Tottenham 3 - 0 Doncaster Rovers
Palhinha 14', McGrath (OG) 17', Johnson 90+4'
Okay, I lied. I was, in fact, paying more attention to the Women's game, partially because of the more difficult opposition and partially because of the penalty shootout requiring my full focus. So I have much less to say about this game.
Even though I did happen to have shifted my eyes to the Men's screen just as João Palhinha was about to score his overhead kick goal, I could scarcely believe what I was seeing. Good for him, genuinely. Besides scoring his second goal of the season in all competitions, he put in a decent shift at centerback so the starters could get rest, albeit only facing a League One attack.
Otherwise, it was nice to see Brennan Johnson finally get a goal at the end as a reward for his hard work all game. Archie Gray also had a strong performance from the midfield, and Antonín Kinský made one key save to keep Doncaster from getting back into the game.
Luca Williams-Barnett made his senior debut in the 87th minute, becoming Spurs' youngest-ever player in the League Cup. He also earned legacy number 900. He would have had the pre-assist for a Lucas Bergvall goal if it hadn't been chalked off.
Notable & quotable:
• Pedro Porro captained the team for the first team.
• Archie Gray made his 50th appearance for the club in all competitions.
• Thomas Frank observed that Luca Williams-Barnett looked confident on his debut:
Let’s hope we keep it like that, because all players should play with no fear, should be brave.
He also commented on getting the balance right for squad rotation:
It’s the balance where we need to use the squad, want to use the squad, we’ve a strong squad and players who want and need to play. That’s very important. Then we need to make enough changes, but not too many, try to get them in the right positions. That’s the challenge. We all know, as I say all the time, if we’re going to play 60+ games this season, we need to be really good at nailing that—making the right amount of changes per game.
News from around the Lane
• Spurs Men have been drawn away to Newcastle United for Round 4 of the League Cup. No confirmed fixture date yet, but it will be the week of October 27.
• Spurs Women have added Adam Jeffrey to the first team coaching staff, joining from West Ham United.
• After the latest concerning reports of an ownership bid, the club has once again rejected any interest in a takeover from ENIC.
This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the family's resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch. The club is not for sale.
The unsolicited bit probably refers to the fact that the club received the "informal approach" via... an email. Unserious, too.
Up next:
September 26 | Spurs Men vs Wolves
Team news — Pape Sarr back in training; Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke still out.
September 27 | Spurs Men @ Leicester City
Team news — Molly Bartrip back in training but unavailable for selection; Ashleigh Neville in contention to play; Luana Bühler and Ella Morris still out.
In theory, this weekend's fixtures are two of the most winnable games of the season. Let's see how it plays out in practice.
COYS
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