Spurs Women fans on the season so far

We’re on International Break with just eight games left in 2021/2. They include some tricky ones: Man City at home; Arsenal away; Chelsea home and away. But we’re lying third in the WSL on 27 points, have already won three more games than we managed in the whole of last season and have long since overtaken last season’s final points tally.

Amidst all this cheer, we asked eight Spurs Women supporters for their perspective on the season so far. Everyone contacted for this was asked the same ten questions. Here are their answers.

Let us know if you agree with their responses – in the comments below or via social media.  

Phil

Co-founder Tottenham Hotspur Women Supporters Club @THWFCSC

1. How long have you been supporting Spurs Women? Since 2013
2. How do you rate our season so far (out of 10)? 8/10 We’ve over-achieved, which is great. It also sets the bar for next season. The change of management has totally worked. 
3. What’s your moment of the season so far? The 4-0 win against Brighton.
4. Who’s been your standout player of the season so far? Molly Barts, solid, reliable and strong
5. Who’s your nominee for breakout star? On age it can only really be Jess Naz but as for breaking into the team it has to be Tinja-Riikka Korpela
6. Who’s your nominee for under-the-radar grafter? Ria Percival
7. How do you rate the job Rehanne Skinner has done (out of 10)? 9/10, she’s ahead of schedule I’m sure!
8. Where in the table do you predict Spurs will finish the season? 4th 
9. In an ideal world what player (who doesn’t currently play for Spurs) would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt? Vivianne Miedema
10. What three words sum up this Spurs women squad for you? Together, Focused, Ambitious 

Chris

@chrispaouros
Co-Chair Proud Lilywhites (@SpursLGBT)

1. How long have you been supporting Spurs Women? 2002 (or 3, I can’t remember) when my late wife Monica McPeak played for them.
2. How do you rate our season so far (out of 10)? 8; I mean you could say 10 as we are defying expectations and we have a small squad. Plus there’s always room for improvement, but this team is exceptional.
3. What’s your moment of the season so far? 🤔 I think the winner against City (controversial or not..).
4. Who’s been your standout player of the season so far? It’s a toss-up between Ash Neville, Rachel Williams and Ria Percival. They’re all so important to us. If you’re going to push me, I’ll say Ash.
5. Who’s your nominee for breakout star? It can’t always be Jess Naz as I think she’s ‘broken out’ now. So again it’s a toss-up between Asmita Ale and Esther Morgan… they’re both great prospects.
6. Who’s your nominee for under-the-radar grafter? Molly Bartrip.
7. How do you rate the job Rehanne Skinner has done (out of 10)? I think this is the same answer as question 2. What Rehanne is doing is exceptional. Long may it continue!
8. Where in the table do you predict Spurs will finish the season? I’d love to say 3rd, but I think more likely 4^th. Which is amazing, btw.
9. In an ideal world what player (who doesn’t currently play for Spurs) would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt? Fran Kirby please! She can create and score goals and I think would be incredible in this team.
10. What three words sum up this Spurs women squad for you? Committed, determined, unified.

Caroline

@cgstefko.
Author, newsletter for American Spurs fans Spurs Across the Pond.

1. How long have you been supporting Spurs Women? I first started watching Spurs Women in the shortened 2019/20 season, but started following them closely the following season. 
2. How do you rate our season so far (out of 10)? I’d give the season a 7 rating so far. By any measure, it’s been a huge success, from challenging for top 3 to reaching the semi-final of the Conti Cup. I only docked a few points because of the bummer FA Cup exit to Leicester City and a few disappointing results in the league (I’m still not over the West Ham draw).
3. What’s your moment of the season so far? The North London derby! The result itself was thrilling, since we’d never taken points off Arsenal before, but I also think it was a reflection of our season so far. This match showed that we can compete with the big teams, but also highlighted one of our weaknesses, which is not finishing big chances to kill off games.
4. Who’s been your standout player of the season so far? Ashleigh Neville, by far. She brings so much to the team:  leadership, experience, technical skill, and a resilient spirit. On the rare occasions that she hasn’t played, her absence was immediately felt. She really embodies the club motto.
5. Who’s your nominee for breakout star? Jessica Naz! She still has room for growth (being more clinical in her finishing), but she has had some electrifying moments in the forward line. She’s one of my favorite players to watch!
6. Who’s your nominee for under-the-radar grafter? Maéva Clemaron. She keeps everything ticking in the midfield and does the dirty work. It’s also impressive how quickly she integrated into the team, considering she was a new signing in the summer.
7. How do you rate the job Rehanne Skinner has done (out of 10)? I’d give Rehanne an 8. She has really transformed the team since she arrived mid-season last year. I can only assume that she had a big say in the club turning over so much of the roster in the summer, which seemed like a harsh decision at the time but was exactly the rebuild we needed to compete this season. I also get the sense that the players would run through a brick wall for her; she’s an inspiring leader and has buy-in from the whole team. There have been a couple of games where she got the tactics wrong, but overall, she’s set the squad up to play to its strengths and put Spurs Women on track for the best WSL season so far.
8. Where in the table do you predict Spurs will finish the season? I’m going to be optimistic and say that we will finish third and get that last Champions League spot! 
9. In an ideal world what player (who doesn’t currently play for Spurs) would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt? In an ideal world, Alex Morgan made her loan permanent 😉 Really though, I’d just love to see a proven goal-scorer join Spurs. Someone like Lea Schüller would be cool.
10. What three words sum up this Spurs women squad for you? Determination, Belief, Togetherness

Rob

@RobMullin 
Co-founder Tottenham Hotspur Women Supporters Club @THWFCSC

1. How long have you been supporting Spurs Women? Since 2016
2. How do you rate our season so far (out of 10)? 9/10
3. What’s your moment of the season so far? Beating Man City away
4. Who’s been your standout player of the season so far? Ria Percival
5. Who’s your nominee for breakout star? Jessica Naz
6. Who’s your nominee for under-the-radar grafter? Molly Bartrip
7. How do you rate the job Rehanne Skinner has done (out of 10)? 10/10
8. Where in the table do you predict Spurs will finish the season? 4th 
9. In an ideal world what player (who doesn’t currently play for Spurs) would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt? Sam Kerr, to give us more potency in front.
10. What three words sum up this Spurs women squad for you? Together, Driven, Teamwork

Anna

@annaxysports
Commentator on all things Spurs at https://www.youtube.com/xySpurs

1. When did you first start supporting Spurs Women? The first game I went to was at The Valley on 28th May 2017, where I saw the then Spurs Ladies beat Blackburn 3-0 to become National FA WPL Champions. Cracking performance, great atmosphere and proper Spurs style of play; I was hooked!
2. How do you rate our season so far (out of 10)? Feel free to comment on your rating. I’d say we’re a 7 or 8, we’re overachieving for where we realistically should be so that’s great, but there’s still plenty of work to be done.
3. What’s your moment of the season so far? When we took the lead in the NLD home fixture, that was iconic. Unfortunately, it finished a draw, but I can’t wait for the day we get to celebrate a win.
4. Who’s been your standout player of the season so far? Always going to say Ash Neville, she is one incredible player. I’d say Molly Bartrip and Tinja-Riikka Korpela both deserve shoutouts too.
5. Who’s your nominee for breakout star? Molly Bartrip
6. Who’s your nominee for under-the-radar grafter? Angela Addison
7. How do you rate the job Rehanne Skinner has done (out of 10)? 7
8. Where in the table do you predict Spurs will finish the season? I’d love for us to stay 3rd, but realistically 4th, probably 5th.
9. In an ideal world what player (who doesn’t currently play for Spurs) would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt (and why)? Currently, I feel our biggest weakness is up front, so it’s hard to not look at Vivianne Miedema and not wish she was in navy and white.
10. What three words sum up this Spurs women squad for you? Determination, commitment, togetherness

Sian

@Sian_Wallis
Host of the Proud Lilywhites Podcast

1. When did you first start supporting Spurs Women? I’d been thinking I should get into women’s football for some time and been looking at the top teams but couldn’t bring myself to support anyone else then in 2016 Spurs Women had a cup game in Carshalton which is somewhere I know a bit so I went along to watch. Then in 2017 Spurs offered a season ticket for the first time and I thought that was a way of forcing myself to make the trek to Cheshunt and it worked, I’ve been going to most weeks since then.
2. How do you rate our season so far? 8/10 I think had other teams lived up to their potential/regular standard from the start we’d be in a different position, but we have taken advantage of our opportunities and put ourselves in an excellent position.
3. What’s your moment of the seaosn so far? The draw against Arsenal. They were an in-form side who had, only a few weeks ago, given us the usual thrashing so to be so close to getting the win was tough to take in the moment but it represents a big step forward and hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.
4. Who’s been your standout player of the season so far? As usual it’s Ash, there have been a couple of games where’s she’s started on the bench and come on and instantly lifted the game which shows how important she is to us. Also she’s played in three different positions this season and got back to scoring. Her stats show just how important a player she is both defensively and going forward. From day one she has given everything every time she steps out onto the pitch and every season she has risen to the challenge of the team going up a gear.
5. Who’s your nominee for breakout star? This is a tough one, not sure we’ve had one this season, Esther Morgan last season obvioulsy. In terms of the new players I think Tini, Maeva and Molly have been key to taking our defensive performances to the next level.
6. Who’s your nominee for under-the-radar grafter? Ria Percival. It’s taken some time to find the right role for Ria, at full back she didn’t impress me but playing in the midfield she is key to our success and drives us forward when we need it but also puts her body on the line defensively too.
7. How do you rate the job Rehanne Skinner has done (out of 10)? 7/10 I think Rehanne has done alot of good things and bought in some great players but there is still work to be done. I was a little worried by her half time substitutions against Coventry and indeed they proved unwise so early in the game. The games away at West Ham and Brighton were disappointing and are the sort of performance we need to cut out if we are to keep growing especially as I think the traditional top four are all back in form now and the second half of the season will be harder than the first.
8. Where in the table do you predict Spurs will finish the season? 5th 
9. In an ideal world what player (who doesn’t currently play for Spurs) would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt? I’d love to see Ebony Salmon play for us, great goal scoring ability, young player with plenty of time to play left in her and a position we need to strengthen. Maya La Tissier is another great young player who’d be great to see at Spurs but in a position we already have some potential young stars.
10. What three words sum up this Spurs women squad for you? Desire, resilience, camaraderie.

Dan

@lilywhiteladies
Read match reports at lilywhiteladies (reblogged here on spurswomen.uk).

1. How long have you been supporting Spurs Women? I started to support Tottenham women in the 2018-19 season after following the NWSL for many years I thought I should have a team in England and Tottenham is my closest team.
2. How do you rate our season so far (out of 10)? I rate the season so far a 7, we have won some games unconvincingly but we are still a baby in WSL but with the right recruitment Tottenham can battle the big teams more regularly and fight for a champions league spot.
3. What’s your moment of the season so far? I guess the moment of the season has to be the 1-1 draw with Arsenal. We have had many wonderful moments like reaching the Conti Cup semi-finals but going toe to toe with a force like Arsenal and being the better side has to be the moment of the season so far for me, despite a draw.
4. Who’s been your standout player of the season so far? Molly Bartrip and Cleamaron have been outstanding this season. Very impressed with Summanen but she hasn’t been at Tottenham long enough so I would have to go with Bartrip.
5. Who’s your nominee for breakout star? I can’t think of anyone. Sorry.
6. Who’s your nominee for under-the-radar grafter? Ria Percival doesn’t get the recognition she deserves, she has proved she is a key member of the team who leaves her heart and soul on the pitch.
7. How do you rate the job Rehanne Skinner has done (out of 10)? I rate Rehanne a 7, sometimes the line-up is questionable but it’s understandable since Tottenham don’t have a big bench but a few adjustments in the starting 11 and Tottenham would be more of a threat.
8. Where in the table do you predict Spurs will finish the season? 6th 
9. In an ideal world what player (who doesn’t currently play for Spurs) would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt? Ideally would love to see Alexia Putellas, Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press or Fridolina Rolfö in a Tottenham shirt. Thinking logically we need a goal scorer that doesn’t miss many chances so I would like to see Sam Kerr in a Tottenham Shirt. Her record speaks for its self she has proved her ability in the best leagues as well as on the international stage.
10. What three words sum up this Spurs women squad for you? Inspirational history makers

Rachel

@rachellaracohen.
Working on spurswomen.uk @spurswomenblog

1. How long have you been supporting Spurs Women? I came to a game in 2019 but became a season ticket holder and got properly hooked this season.
2. How do you rate our season so far (out of 10)? 9/10. No one rated spurs at the start of the season and have continued to under-estimate what we might do. Wherever we finish we’ll have massively exceeded expectations.
3. What’s your moment of the season so far? Most unexpected pleasure was the draw with Arsenal, but if we’re talking specific moments of delight, either Ria’s last minute free kick against Manchester United or the second or third goals against Brighton (both involving Ashleigh Neville at the height of her powers).
4. Who’s been your standout player of the season so far? I don’t know if I’ve ever enjoyed watching a player as much as watching Ashleigh Neville this season. I’ve already written a blog about it, but then, after I’d written it, she went and scored two and assisted on another goal in two games!
5. Who’s your nominee for breakout star? I’m going to cheat and say that the player who’s broken into the team in the last few games that I’m most excited about is Evelina Summanen. With honorable mention to her compatriot, Korpela, for coming into the team and keeping us in the North London Derby.
6. Who’s your nominee for under-the-radar grafter? Under-the-radar grafter is the defining characteristic of most of this team: From our wonderfully stingy centre back pairing, to Rachel Williams whose hold up play as well as goals have been essential to Kerys Harrop, whose willingness to chase players down is epic. But Ria Percival’s end-to-end game along with the goals, assists, defensive blocks, tackles and league-leading(!) fouls committed and received mean she edges it.  
7. How do you rate the job Rehanne Skinner has done (out of 10)? 9/10. She’s doing great things. The one mark deduction is for occasional team selection choices that I don’t love, and for at times not finding a way to close out games (notably the two against West Ham and cup game against Leicster).
8. Where in the table do you predict Spurs will finish the season? My ‘realistic’ prediction is 5^th, but excited that 3^rd is still possible.
9. In an ideal world what player (who doesn’t currently play for Spurs) would you most like to see in a Spurs shirt? We need goals so it’s hard to look past Sam Kerr. For pure fun, Lauren Hemp tearing down the other wing to Ash would be great. Deanne Rose is another options, still developing her game but scoring some fantastic goals.
10. What three words sum up this Spurs women squad for you? Togetherness, Determination, Delight

Final thoughts

To wrap up, we asked what fans say to persuade football fans who’ve never been to (or watched) a Spurs Women’s game that they’d enjoy it. We got some great responses:

It’s how supporting football should be. All the passion without the anger. Supporting your team not negating the opposition. Jokes with opposing fans, connection with the team. Magic!

Chris

If you enjoy traditional family friendly atmosphere with quality football, then the women’s game is the place to be.

Anna

What I love most about women’s football is the engagement between fans and with the players. There’s a really friendly atmosphere even at away games which means it’s not just about seeing the game but the people too. I can sit with whoever I want and enjoy the game with friends. Also the fact that our support is valued by the players is important to me, they don’t get tens of thousands of fans and they appreciate those of us who do make the effort. Being able to talk to them (COVID aside) after the games really completes that sense of belonging that is so important to football.

Sian

While the gulf in competition grows wider in the Men’s game, in the Women’s game the league is becoming more competitive. And for Spurs Women specifically, it’s fun to root for the underdogs (even if we’re not as much of underdogs as all the pundits originally thought).

Caroline

People usually say Women’s football is slow and boring. That women can’t play football. Every year FA Cup attendances are rising, the 2019 World Cup was a success with many games being sold out in Men’s stadiums. Women have broken attendance records with games like West Ham vs Tottenham at the london stadium in 2019 and later with Tottenham vs Arsenal where over 38,000 turned out to the Tottenham stadium. Yes, there are some boring women’s matches but you also get that in the men’s game. You can see some of the biggest stars of game for a lot less than what a men’s game costs and it’s a fun family day out to watch stars and future stars of the game.

Dan

Massive thanks to the fans who contributed their thoughts to this blog.

Please go follow their other activities if you’re not already.

And if you’re a Spurs Women supporter and would like to contribute to future blogs – or produce your own content for this site get in touch.