Tottenham's unexpected surge: Are Spurs ready for a European adventure?
Last season, Tottenham's Women's Super League (WSL) journey was a stark contrast to their current form. They were languishing in the middle of the table, managing only two wins in their initial eight matches. The team conceded a concerning 21 goals and suffered five defeats, barely staying above the relegation zone. This was a challenging period for Spurs, who eventually finished second from bottom with a mere 20 points, just 10 more than relegated Crystal Palace.
Fast forward to this season, and the story is remarkably different. After eight games, Tottenham is impressively positioned in fifth place, level on points with their north London rivals, Arsenal, and just two points behind Manchester United in third. With five wins already secured, they've equaled last season's win total and emerged as surprise contenders for a Champions League spot. But here's where it gets controversial: despite this impressive turnaround, captain Bethany England says the club isn't openly discussing European ambitions just yet.
"Depending if we're close to the top then we'll most likely be thinking about it but then that would be another question about how we manage the pressures of that," England shared on the BBC's Women's Football Weekly podcast. She added, "It's a position the club has not been in before and having people remain calm in those pressure moments. Right now, it's not a conversation, but it's not to say we don't think we can get there."
Spurs have a golden opportunity to surpass Arsenal in their upcoming derby at Brisbane Road. A victory would significantly boost their chances of securing a European spot, a far cry from the struggles of the previous season. The FA Cup final appearance in the 2023-24 season, where they lost to Manchester United, was followed by a downturn that led to manager Robert Vilahamn's departure.
England reflects on the team's struggles: "I think we had to be honest with where we were at and I think we were struggling to get that cohesion on the pitch as well as off the pitch. We knew the performances, what the fans expected from us, and what the club expected from us weren't good enough."
The arrival of Martin Ho, formerly of Manchester United and Everton, has injected new energy into the team. Ho has maintained the core of last year's squad, but England notes a significant improvement in the team's mentality.
"Martin coming in has changed a lot. Our intensity has got higher, the demands have got more and testing us more as players as well as people. Having that leadership is what we needed in the sense that we were probably getting a bit too comfortable and not being where we wanted to be. This year we've been able to see a change in our mentality in games, our desire and willingness to fight for one another on the pitch and I think we're naturally feeling more confident within ourselves."
But, can they overcome their rivals? Tottenham's WSL record against Arsenal offers a dose of reality. In 11 north London derbies, Spurs have only won once. Yet, that single victory – a 1-0 win in December 2023 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – fuels their belief.
"We've got a big opportunity in a north London derby to do what we've done previously. I know we've only beaten them once before, but it's not impossible," England states. Ho emphasizes the importance of the upcoming match, saying his players understand the significance. He also points to a pre-season victory over the Gunners, a game that ended 4-3 in Spurs' favor, as a source of confidence.
A win for Spurs could significantly impact Arsenal's title aspirations, potentially leaving them at least six points behind leaders Manchester City. Arsenal will be eager to bounce back after a recent Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich. Renee Slegers, the Gunners' boss, said, "That was really disappointing and we've acknowledged that as a collective. The players will use this as fuel going into the north London derby."
Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie continue their Women's Football Weekly podcast, with new episodes every Tuesday on BBC Sounds. The podcast provides interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond.
What do you think? Can Tottenham maintain their momentum and secure a European spot? Do you believe their recent form is sustainable, or will the pressure of the competition prove too much? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
