Spurs Women 2023/24 Mid-Season Review

We've already seen a huge transformation in the playing style of the Women's team since Robert Vilahamn joined as manager, and there still seems to be ample room for growth—both on an individual player basis and as a collective. After the disastrous relegation battle last season that saw all of the previous campaign's progress erased, Spurs Women are finally back on track and looking to make a statement of intent in the Women's Super League. This is not a team that's content to reach the "best of the rest" status and coast; there are higher ambitions for the future.

We passed the official halfway point of the campaign at the final whistle of the West Ham game, so it's time to take a look back at the first half of the season. After a quick recap of standings and notable stats, I'll cover the main takeaways, identify some areas for improvement, share some (mostly) fun facts, and give out mid-season superlatives. Finally, I'll assign a grade for the first half of the season taking all of these factors into account.

If you're curious what the mood was like at mid-season last year, check out this post. Remember life before Beth England at Spurs?

Let's dig in!

Spurs Women

2023/24 Mid-Season Review

Where we stand:

Women's Super League: 6th place, 18 points, 5-3-3 record
-4 GD (19 for, 23 against), 1 clean sheet
Top scorer: Martha Thomas
Top assister: four-way tie (Eveliina Summanen, Grace Clinton, Jessica Naz, Olga Ahtinen)
League Cup: finished 2nd in group stage, through to quarter-finals
FA Cup: Into the Round of 16 after beating Sheffield United in Round 4

The first half of the season has been a success by any measure, especially considering that it's not been without obstacles. Beth England was ruled out to start the season due to undergoing hip surgery that had been put off because of her participation in the World Cup. We also suffered several key injuries in November and December that made the run-in to the new year more difficult. Remarkably, our only three losses so far have come against top 4 teams—and we beat the other, Arsenal, in a historic victory for the club.

Two of those losses came back-to-back against the Manchester teams in WSL play, threatening a loss in morale, but the team was able to push on and get those statement results against our NLD rivals (the first was a draw in the League Cup, after which we lost the penalty shootout). The only other loss of the season was the very first game against Chelsea, but even then we ran them close (just a 2-1 away loss) and made a clear statement of intent about our style of play under the new manager.

After the initial loss, we went on a four-game winning streak in all competitions followed by a string of three 1-1 draws. Notably, we have scored in every game except for the losses to City and United—and the majority of them were played without the help of the new club captain and last season's top-scorer, England. A new signing stepped up to fill the void; Martha Thomas came to Spurs with a point to prove after a frustrating stint at United, where she was often played out of her preferred position. Vilahamn has mostly employed her at striker, and to great effect. She's scored a variety of goals (seven total so far) and also notched an assist in her first six months at the club.

Some of Martha's highlights this season include:

• Scoring our only goal against Chelsea on opening day

• Six goals in her first four games

• A hat trick at Aston Villa

• The equalizing assist at Leicester

• The game-winning goal in the first-ever win against Arsenal

Not a bad half-season resumé! She also provided some important experience and leadership in the young forward line in Beth's absence. Many of us were skeptical of her signing in the summer, but she's more than proved her value.

I think it's worth emphasizing just how important the results in that double derby week against Arsenal were in the scope of the season. Coming off two losses in a row in the league, we needed to bounce back in the League Cup, not just in terms of our hopes in that competition but also to show we aren't as far behind the top 4 times as we would have seemed after the previous two games. We never trailed in the cup game, thanks to Martha and a standout performance from Jess Naz. And so much has already been said about the win in the league NLD, but the whole team deserves to be praised for a nearly flawless performance. Molly Bartrip perhaps best represented the strong defensive effort, and she has been a stalwart in the team all season long, playing every minute and serving as vice-captain while Beth was recovering from surgery. And to have scored such a fabulous team goal to win the game was a special moment that won't soon be forgotten.

After a restful winter break and several new signings stronger, we picked back up right where we left off with the winning spirit. The FA Cup match against Sheffield United required a surprising comeback, and the first WSL game back was a seven-goal thriller in our favor, but things became more straightforward with the final League Cup group stage game (well, straightforward for us—Aston Villa fielded an ineligible player in their last game and may have inadvertently knocked out Manchester United as a result). It's good to have built up some positive momentum ahead of a daunting rematch against City in the WSL.

I would be remiss to end this overview of the half-season without mentioning our star loan player, Grace Clinton. Her creative and impactful performances even earned her a first England senior team call-up, though she is yet to make her full debut. She has four goals and two assists for us in the WSL so far, as well as a goal in the League Cup. She's appeared to best effect from the left winger position but has also featured in the #10 role at times. The thought of sending her back to United at the end of the season is upsetting, but let's enjoy watching her play in a Spurs shirt while we still can.

Other key players have included our Finnish double pivot in the midfield, Eveliina Summanen and summer signing Olga Ahtinen; Celin Bizet at right winger; and as ever, Ashleigh Neville in the defense. With some injuries limiting starter availability, we have also seen important contributions from Kit Graham, Ramona Petzelberger, and Amy Turner. Jess Naz has been a consistent super sub, and Rosella Ayane came up with a big moment in the FA Cup. I've also been intrigued by the rise of our new goalkeeper signing this season, Barbora Votíková. She could be overtaking Becky Spencer for the #1 spot. Other new signings like Amanda Nildén and Charli Grant could secure starting roles, while Matilda Vinberg might be one for the future. Shuang Wang is a question mark since she had an injury upon arrival.

Robert Vilahamn also deserves a spotlight for the work he's done to overhaul the team's playing style. He often talks about wanting the plays to be brave, and they are only able to do so because he is willing to accept some mistakes in these early stages. Our defensive record is certainly some cause for concern, but I understand his rationale for focusing on improving the attack first. It's the only way we are going to be able to compete with the high-flying top 4 sides. Slowly but surely, we have become a team that knows how to press effectively, can score often from open play, and can finish chances efficiently (well, mostly). Robert's game philosophy is clearly defined, and the new style of play feels much more sustainable than the scattershot, reactive approach we saw under Rehanne Skinner.

Youth development is a big focus for Vilahamn, and while there have been a couple of players who have not quite made the cut (Asmita Ale and Gracie Pearse, now out on loan), it's clear to see the growth of players like Naz and Bizet. Our January signings also reflect a commitment to building a younger squad.

There is still much progress to be made, but it's so refreshing to see the players reinvigorated and enjoying their football again. The defensive improvements will come in time and then I believe we will truly be a force to be reckoned with in the WSL pecking order. And to give credit to the club, the investment is finally happening in the Women's team. We've also seen much better communication with fans and increased exposure in both social and traditional media. Things are looking up! The test now will be to not drop the ball in continuing the investment and attention. I don't think we will be going under the radar much longer if we keep pipping our rivals to promising signings like Grant & Vinberg and putting in statement performances.

We have a pretty balanced schedule for the second half of the season and are still alive in both cup competitions, so there's real potential to make our mark. I still think it's too early for winning a cup trophy to be a realistic expectation, but anything can happen. And in terms of our WSL table finish, 4th is not outside the realm of possibility with United's recent slip-ups, but 5th or 6th would be very respectable for Vilahamn's first season in charge.

Areas for improvement

• Set piece defense. The defense has been a weak spot in general, but particularly on set pieces. It doesn't help that we don't have many players who are good in the air, and basic marking has also been an issue. This is probably the area of the pitch where injuries have hurt us the most because we simply lack true centerback depth outside of Turner. Summanen and Neville have both featured in the centerback duo in makeshift roles, but neither are suited to the position. If we were to make one surprise loan or signing before the January window closes, it needs to be a centerback.

• Finishing. Sure, we've seen a vast improvement over last season's woeful numbers (England's output excluded, of course), but we've still left points on the table in a few games because of missed chances. Thomas' recent dry spell can probably be attributed to returning from a hamstring injury, and similarly, England has only managed to find the back of the net in the League Cup since her return. The team has already improved a lot in passing accuracy, so finishing is the next metric to focus on.

• Breaking the Manchester bogey. Except for that shocking (and if we're being honest, unfair) win over Manchester City two seasons ago, we tend to play our worst games against the Manchester teams. I don't know if it's a psychological issue, the travel for away games, or what, but we have to find a way to break the curse and put our best foot forward in these matches. Both of these teams have had an obvious investment advantage over Spurs (at least in the past—that may be changing, now) but I would confidently say that we have the best manager between us. As we continue to evolve tactically, these are the teams I most want to see us get a win against.

Fun facts (and some not-so-fun)

• We have gained five points over the same fixtures from last season, plus three points against promoted Bristol City.

• At exactly the halfway point of the season, we have already tied our points total from last season.

• We have the 5th best goal tally in the league, but the 4th worst defense.

• Our away record is better in terms of points, but we have played one more game away than at home.

• We have yet to receive a penalty in the league, though we've conceded three. We scored a penalty in each cup competition.

• No own goals yet and no red cards (knock on wood!). No player had more than two yellow cards.

• All players have made a WSL appearance except for Gracie Pearse (now on loan) and Amanda Nildén and Shuang Wang (new signings).

• There have been eight distinct goal-scorers in WSL play—and none of them are Beth England. There have been six distinct assisters.

• Five players have started every WSL game (Molly Bartrip, Celin Bizet, Angharad James, Martha Thomas, Ash Neville), and Jess Naz has appeared in every game.

Mid-season superlatives

• Biggest surprise— Barbora Votíková
• Best new signing— Martha Thomas
• Best young player— Grace Clinton
• Most valuable player— Olga Ahtinen
• Most improved player— Jess Naz
• Ms. Tottenham— Beth England

Mid-season grade: B+

Here's to more pleasant surprises, more history-making, and more daring to do.

As ever,

COYS

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