On Saturday afternoon, Tottenham’s men’s and women’s teams briefly topped the league.
Robert Vilahamn’s side have since been overtaken by Manchester City and Chelsea, but their nine points from a possible 12 are more than most expected at this stage.
It’s still early in the season, but Spurs already look like a transformed team.
There was little to cheer about in the 2022-23 season, with Rehanne Skinner sacked in March after nine consecutive defeats plunged them into relegation trouble. Vicky Jepson, who had been Skinner’s assistant, guided them to safety, but it was clear that change was needed.
Vilahamn was brought in from Swedish champions BK Hacken and by the same recruitment team that hired Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham Women have transformed under the leadership of coach Robert Vilahamn
Vilahamn has already drawn comparisons with Tottenham men’s manager Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham played some entertaining football, with Vilahamn laying out his vision
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“Tottenham wants to play a style with the men’s team, the women’s team and the academy,” Vilahamn said before the season started.
“I think Ange and I are trying to do the same thing when it comes to playing, and trying to be brave enough to play good, attacking football.
‘In the long term you will see a Tottenham that dictates games, puts the pressure on, wants to lean forward and tries to score a lot of goals.’
Both teams certainly played some entertaining football. The Vilahamn side were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Chelsea on the opening day, but registered eleven shots on target – the most any team has managed against the champions since 2013.
Vilahamn placed an emphasis on fitness in pre-season, with the 40-year-old claiming the players were ‘not in the best form’ in the previous season. His team already look fitter and stronger and their pressing style is paying off.
One player who was particularly impressive is Martha Thomas, who scored a hat-trick in Tottenham’s 4-2 win over Aston Villa.
Thomas was brought in on deadline day in the hope she could fill the void left by last season’s top scorer Bethany England, who is not expected back from injury until next year.
The striker scored just one goal for Manchester United last season, but has now scored six in four games for Spurs. Thomas benefits from playing in her first-choice position as a striker, rather than on the wing where she spent most of her time in a United shirt.
Vilahamn’s team are already looking fitter and stronger, with their pressing style paying off.
Martha Thomas impressed for Tottenham against Aston Villa as she scored a hat-trick
“Playing under someone who I know believes in me, that’s important, then I play my best football,” Thomas said after her hat-trick. ‘Playing at my current position, things like that. (I’m) just kind of on a roll.
“He (Vilahamn) has made sure that we have our own personality, as long as we stick to his style. He wants to press and be on the ball, be a possession team, and he has the right personnel for that. I think it’s exciting for us to have that culture.”
Grace Clinton, on loan from United, is another player to excel under Vilahamn and the 20-year-old’s performances earned her a first call-up to the England squad last week.
“When you give a good player the confidence and self-belief to play, you can see what she’s really made of,” Vilahamn said of Thomas and Clinton.
‘Those national team players who sit on the bench at the biggest clubs, you sometimes find that in them if you give them the confidence. You give them confidence and they just shine.’
Like Postecoglou, Vilahamn’s personality shines through when he speaks to the media, and that clearly translates to his players.
How far can they realistically go? Vilahamn’s goal before the start of the season was to finish around sixth place and perhaps make a run in one of the cup competitions. Their performances so far have shown that this is more than a realistic possibility.
Grace Clinton has excelled under Vilahamn and earned her first call-up to the England squad
“We shouldn’t expect Tottenham to win the league this year,” Vilahamn said. ‘We have to make sure we show the supporters, the board members and everyone that we are playing better football.
“We’re starting from the ground up and it might take two years, but I’m going to take my time because I know in the long run you’re going to win games.”
So far, so good.
It’s a joke that there is still no host for the next World Cup
Saudi Arabia’s announcement to host the 2035 World Cup was a reminder that FIFA has yet to decide where the 2027 edition of the tournament will be played.
It’s ridiculous that we already know the organizers of the men’s competition in 2030, but won’t know the location of the women’s competition in 2027 until next year. There are joint bids from the United States and Mexico and Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as separate bids from Brazil and South Africa. You’d like to think that the chances of Saudi Arabia hosting are slim, given their stance on LGBTQ rights.
Emma Hayes says ‘high-level conversations’ are needed to host the World Cup in Saudi Arabia
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes said “high-level conversations” would need to take place and a lot of work would be needed to ensure the safety of players, coaches and supporters.
Jill Scott pays tribute to Euros rant with tattoo
As well as Chloe Kelly taking off her shirt to celebrate her winning goal, one of the most iconic moments of England’s Euro 2022 triumph was Jill Scott’s X-rated rant at Germany’s Sydney Lohmann.
Scott now has the letters FOYFP tattooed on her midriff. When you know, you know. If you don’t know, look it up on YouTube.
Jill Scott shared a photo of the tattoo on her midriff, which reads FOYFP, on TikTok
Scott went viral for shouting ‘F**k off you f***ing p***k’ at German midfielder Sydney Lohmann during the 2022 Women’s European Championship final
Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nusken arrives on his bike for the match against Brighton
Sjoeke Nusken opted for a modest means of transport to Kingsmeadow before scoring her first goals for Chelsea. While some of her teammates drive fancy cars, the German arrived on a bike for the Blues’ match with Brighton. Nusken almost collided with one of the match officials when she stopped at the players’ entrance, much to the amusement of the waiting fans. It proved the perfect preparation, with the midfielder scoring two goals and assisting another in a 4-2 victory.
After a header and a left-footed finish, Nusken would have had a perfect hat-trick if Guro Bergsvand had not deflected her right-footed shot into her own net. Nusken has impressed boss Emma Hayes since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.
“We knew what a talent she was,” Hayes said. ‘We still have to work with her to balance some things, but it was a wonderful performance from a player who is very well in place.’
Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nusken arrived on his bike for the match against Brighton at Kingsmeadow
