Player of the Month: March

We thought it would be interesting to kick-start a new tradition by getting Spurs supporting bloggers to pick out their player of the month. Below are the March picks of Harsh, Dave and Hannah. Which of them do you agree with – or do you have an wholly different suggestion?

Amanda Nildén

By Harsh Mishra

Amanda Nildén is my pick for the player of the month. Although we’re focusing on the games played in March, I have picked her because of the way that her introduction has transformed the team since she joined in the January window. She has been a regular starter in the WSL since her full debut against Manchester City, late January.

Our squad has seen significant development over the last few windows, but one area that was consistently not addressed was the left-back position. Prior to the arrival of Nildén, the lack of a natural left-footer in this role led to the deployment of numerous makeshift solutions.

The seamless integration of the Swedish left-back has not just stabilized the defensive setup, but has also eventually led to Ashleigh Neville moving back to her natural right side. Her performance against City and Arsenal have shown that she is more than capable of holding her own during defensive duels against top wingers. On the attacking side, against Leicester and Bristol, her ball retention and passing in the final third were the highlight, combining well with Grace Clinton and her near sided winger (Jessica Naz and Celin Bizet). We have also seen glimpses of her technical prowess, showing that she can go on the outside and deliver crosses, but can also dribble through pressure and carry the ball inside. The biggest advantage though, has been her ability to initiate attacking moves from deep positions with curved left footed passes down the line. I have no doubt that with time, as she continues to grow and evolve within the squad, she will only perform better.

Amy James-Turner

By Dave Puckridge

There is a sound unique to women’s football that I can only compare to the sound of two cars colliding at high speed. It’s not a pleasant sound, but it signals something remarkable. It’s the sound of Amy James-Turner putting her body on the line, blocking shots. It is thunderous. And it is amazing. I wince, I can only look through my fingers fearing the worst… but AJT simply picks herself back up and gets back into position.

Since Luana Bühler’s injury ruled her out in mid-December, James-Turner has returned to the starting line up. This coincided with Spurs defence tightening, becoming stingier, limiting even Arsenal and Manchester City, when those games used to be routs. So far this season Spurs have kept seven clean sheets in all competitions, including three in the league. Only one of our defenders has played in all seven: Amy James-Turner.

It’s a joy and a privilege to be able to sing the praises for an incredible string of performances (and a beautifully taken goal against Aston Villa) from a player that goes under the radar. James-Turner has been a professional presence since joining Spurs, quietly going about her game even when played out of position (including Centre Forward AJT who provided that  assist for Bethany England in the FA Cup quarter final against Manchester City), giving her all even when the fanbase overlooks her, steadfastly throwing herself into tackles and hurling her body into blocks for the good of the team.

Bethany England

By Hannah Chadwick

What a player Beth England has been for us this month! Unfortunately she is still unable to play a full 90 minutes due to her recent return from injury. But once she is on the pitch she holds herself to the highest standards and produces goals or assists when we most need her to.

The most recent events are the quarter final against Man City where she came on as a late substitute in the 77th minute and scored the 95th minute equaliser that sent us to penalties. She went on to  score the first penalty in the shootout, setting us up nicely for success. Later in the month she was again our sole scorer away at Bristol City, when she produced a beautifully taken second minute winner.

If last year showed us that Beth England could save us from relegation single handed, this month she has proved that even when not at peak fitness she can perform for us in clutch moments.  

Beth’s performances off the pitch are almost as important. She is a leader, a captain and an idol. Whether sporting a Spurs shirt or not, she raises the profile of our club and speaks with clarity and strength. This month she opened up about Endometriosis, a medical condition that she has suffered with for the last eight years, in hopes it would spread awareness. It always difficult to tell the world about your personal life and body. And where this relates to daily struggles it is exceptionally brave.

For all these reasons Beth England is my player of the month.

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Do you agree with Hannah, Harsh or David? Or do you have another nomination for Spurs March PotM? Let us know below.