After the promotion of Tottenham Hotspur Women (Spurs) from the Championship back in 2019, achievements for them have been at an exceeding rate. Dating back to the 2020-21 WSL season, Spurs’ second season in this league, they finished the season 8th facing a few setbacks throughout. However, since starting this years 2021-22 season, the underdogs proved that they were a force to be reckoned with.
Despite a competitive and unpredictable WSL season, Spurs are on form and fighting for their place in the 22/23 UEFA Women’s Champions League. In September, Spurs went on to beat last seasons runners up Manchester City from a goal down with the final score as 2-1, and even drew 1-1 against an in-form Arsenal in the November North London Derby. Currently, Tottenham Hotspur are sitting in 4th place with a total of 21 points, battling with teams who are familiar with the Champions League and a few teams closely following behind. If the season continues the way it currently is, the fight for Champions League qualification will be an exciting one to watch.
📸: Tottenham Hotspur Women vs Arsenal Women
Key to Tottenham’s success
Alongside head coach Rehanne Skinner (appointed in 2020), the hard-work, determination, and passion of players have been key to Tottenham’s success this 21/22 season.
Defence
The club retained talented players including current captain, Shelina Zadorsky (who won an Olympic Gold Medal with Canada in the summer of 2020), and Ashleigh Neville (who has played at Spurs since 2017). Neville is a regular starter and has scored 5 goals and received many individual awards including Player of the Month for Spurs. A resilient and daring defender who is not afraid of big challenges.
Another key player for Tottenham’s defense is Molly Bartrip. Bartrip spent her entire senior career to date with fellow WSL side Reading, joining them in 2014 and going on to make more than 100 competitive appearances before leaving the Madejski Stadium at the end of last season. A younger yet entertaining individual who said on arrival: ‘I’m so excited to start here because it’s brand new for me, I’m coming out of my comfort zone and embracing new challenges”. She then came into the squad with immediate impact with a 1-0 win over Birmingham City. Head Coach Rachael Skinner on the arrival of Molly Bartrip:
Her defensive record was excellent last season. She’s a solid defender who works incredibly hard out of possession. A committed and resilient person and is someone who is going to help us in our ambitions to keep driving the team forward and improve on where we were last year. She’ll be a real asset to us and I’m delighted that she has joined the squad.”
While Spurs’ defence has been more or less outstanding this season, they’ve struggled with generating chances and putting the ball in the back of the net. It was hoped that Kit Graham would play an crucial role in adding to the scoresheet this season.
📸: Kit Graham for Tottenham Hotspur Women
Forwards
Signing as a forward for Spurs in 2019, Kit has been an important player for the club. Kit made history at the start of the season. She became the first Tottenham Hotspur Women’s player to score at the new Tottenham Stadium. Prior to joining Spurs, she played for Charlton Athletic (age 9 to 23) and scored over 200 goals. During the 2018–19 FAWC, she scored 16 goals in 19 games. She was subsequently named FAWC Players’ Player of the Year.
These stats are only a highlight of Kit’s potential on the pitch. However, unfortunately she sustained a ligament injury early into the 21/22 season, resulting in her having to miss the remainder of the season. Her performance was highly-applauded with being featured in the Barclays WSL Team of The Week on multiple occasions early season. The injury is both disappointing for both Kit and the club. However, it provides an opportunity for others like Chioma Ubogagu, Rosella Ayane, and Jessica Naz to step up and fill the creative attacking midfield role for Spurs. And so far they have taken this opportunity with both hands.
📸: Jessica Naz for Tottenham Hotspur Women
Now let’s talk Jessica Naz. England U19 international and one of the most promising young Tottenham Hotspur Women players, Jessica Naz desire is to “score goals and provide assists” and “to help the team win however [she] can.” Naz came up through the youth ranks at Tottenham but left for rivals Arsenal. Considered one of the most exciting young players in the WSL, she returned to Spurs in 2018 after missing the entirety of the 2019-20 season. Naz suffered a serious ACL injury sustained that summer. The club says she’s back to full fitness now and should be a significant contributor for Spurs going forward. Being a regular starter for Spurs, Naz has the opportunity to showcase her talents and help the club qualify for Champions League next year.
So far, Spurs have only added 13 goals to the scoresheet. The top goal scorer being Rachel Williams with 4 goals. This is followed by Kit Graham and Jessica Naz (2 goals). Ria Percival, Angela Addison, Rosella Ayane, and Kyah Simon (1 goal). And an own goal by Manchester City keeper, Karima Benameur. With only 3 league losses, these goals have been crucial to securing their current 4th place position.
👀 on the #BarclaysFAWSL table…
Rate your team's current standing using a GIF ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/JFbff3jWRe
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) January 28, 2022
📸: WSL Table
Ultimately, Spurs are proving that alongside increased investment, hard-work and passion can create positive results. With a little under half of the season remaining, Spurs fans are looking forward to seeing what else their team are capable of and if the Champions League is in reach for them.
Written by Jess Blissett
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