With the season about to start, five Spurs supporters who write or talk about Spurs Women provide a preview, giving their views on topics that include the new manager, summer transfer window, expectations for the season and priorities for the women’s side post-Levy.

1. Martin Ho managerial appointment (score out of 10).

Lauren: 9. I think we’ve signed an ambitious coach who has already demonstrated a clear playing style. Martin has also managed within the UWCL which gives me confidence in his ability to manage challenging games against tough opponents. I’ve knocked one off as he hasn’t managed a game in the WSL yet.

Tonaliana: 8. Ho had excellent results at Brann, and despite his young age, he knows the WSL fairly well. In the preseason friendlies, I saw interesting patterns and positional rotations that could maximize the current squad’s potential. His past at Brann and his statements show he’s adaptable to opponents, which will be useful against stronger teams. The main concern is that this is his first head coach role in England, but overall, I’m quite optimistic.

Alfred: 7? I know little about Martin Ho, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders and we’ve looked promising in pre-season. That doesn’t always translate into success in competitive games. Brann were well coached but there no guarantee he won’t be found out in a higher tier of football. Still, I think there’s cause for optimism.

Jack: 8. Early days but so far he has talked a good game, seemingly got players back on side and given the team a clearer identity. With many managers I’d be fearing the drop this season – Martin has already given me some degree of confidence we’ll avoid a relegation scrap and wind up with a single figure finishing position.

Rachel: 9. Maybe this is the optimism of the opening weekend. But given our needs, resources and the pool of managers out there Martin Ho was a fantastic get. His focus on coaching is much needed given what appeared to be widespread under-performance in the team last season and, judging from pre-season, is already bearing fruit. I am also really excited to see a Spurs side that adapts within game including – hopefully – a more creative use of substitutes.

2. Tōko Koga (score out of 10)

Lauren: 8. I really liked what I’ve seen in our pre season games. Toko is exactly the type of signing we should be looking to make. She has European experience and is already capped at international level for Japan. Now it’s about seeing how she adapts to the WSL which will be the hardest league she has played in both in terms of intensity and physicality.

Tonaliana: 9. We needed a defender, preferably strong in building from the back, and we got one of the best wonderkids in that profile. This signing flew a bit under the radar since she arrived early in the transfer window, but that’s a plus, she’s had the full preseason with the team and already looks well integrated into the defensive line, showing great confidence. This is exactly the type of profile we should aim for.

Alfred: 7. Technically I have seen Koga during the Olympics but I can’t really remember her in those games. So I’m going off our pre-season where she looked good but a little unpolished perhaps. I think it will take a season for her to grow into the league fully but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s our best CB next season.

Jack: 9. Watching Tōko in preseason was an absolute pleasure. What a talent! Huge props to the previous coaching staff for identifying her and then getting a deal done. One point I’d make about Tōko – she does take risks on the ball and while she’s so good technically most of these come off, it may also lead to us conceding the odd soft goal. If this does happen, I hope people are not overly harsh – she is 19, enormously gifted and mistakes are a natural part of her development.

Rachel: 9. We had a horribly leaky defence last season so we needed to recruit at centre-back. Koga is ridiculously young (19) but already a starter for Japan (a national team ranked 8^th in the world). Her skills and confidence on the ball means that she might make occasional mistakes but she has already slotted into the team and if pre-season is any guide she will be integral to Spurs’ defence and ball progression.

3. Cathinka (Tinka) Tandberg (score out of 10)

Lauren: 7. I’m sure we’ve all watched the same YouTube video so are excited by her finishing skills. We struggled to score goals last season so Tinka will definitely help us with this. She is arriving at Spurs off the back of a major injury so I’m giving it a 7 as we will need to be patient.

Tonaliana: 8. Another wonderkid with huge potential and goal-scoring ability, which we really needed. Physically, she seems ready for the WSL and she’s also a club fan, which is always nice. I docked one point because she plays in the same position as our last season’s standout player and captain, which could be a tactical challenge for Ho to manage. That said, she’s a great signing and could contribute a lot if she settles in well.

Alfred: 8. I think this might end up looking a lot like Holdt last season (going into this one) where she’s not quite at her best until about 6 months in but I think she could be a very important piece of the puzzle when she’s managed to play herself into form and managed to build a bit of rapport with the rest of the team.

Jack: 8. Another signing I’m really happy with. Great stats, playing for a stacked Norway team so young is impressive, while from the clips I’ve seen of her she is an extrovert who’s always where the action is – something we definitely need. Her recent meniscus injury gives me the jitters but if that has no long-term effects this is a great signing. One other point, Beth’s contract is up in the summer and we’ve just spent in excess of £200,000 on a 21 year old striker… It does make me wonder if Beth will still be at Spurs beyond this season.

Rachel: 8. Tandberg has the potential to become as talismanic as Bethany England has been. She is that kind of striker – possessing a combination of skills and iron determination. The fact that she came to support Spurs men at White Hart Lane as a child is the icing on the cake. The only worry is that she’s had a difficult 2025 after ankle and knee injuries, but if Ho can find a way to get her going this may resolve Spurs’ ongoing problem of where goals will come from when England is absent or having an off day.

4. Outgoings: Becky Spencer, Hayley Raso and Rosella Ayane. Plus Anna Csiki (loan). Will we miss any of these players?

Lauren: No.

Tonaliana: Honestly, no. While it’s sad on a personal level, they weren’t performing at the required level. The only one we might risk missing is Csiki, simply because she never had consistent minutes to prove herself, making her still an unknown. But considering the squad options in similar positions, it’s fair to let her go and free up a spot.

Alfred: No, not from a playing perspective anyhow. Raso has the skills to cement herself as an important player in almost any team but it just never works out for some reason. Best not to dwell on it.

Jack: On the pitch, I don’t think so. None of those players were first teamers, while in Raso’s case she seemed to regard Tottenham like how a cat regards fleas. Still, I wish them all well in their new ventures, particularly Becky and Ros given their long service at the club.

Rachel: No. It’s a shame that Becky seemed so frustrated with the club when she left given her long-time service and centrality to some of Spurs’ big highs. Ros also produced a few very memorable moments but never realised her potential and has been peripheral for a while. Raso was heralded as a big signing last summer but her impact fizzled and by Spring her desire to go was palpable. The only player we might miss, given our potential issues with cover for midfield, is Csiki, but if she can get more game-time and find form at West Ham that’s to the good.

5. In what position do you most wish we’d signed a player?

Lauren: I am still waiting for my defensive midfield replacement for Maeva Clemaron.

Tonaliana: Defensive mid. Stability there is crucial, and we’ve really struggled in that area for the past year and a half. We need someone who can control and retain possession, while providing defensive solidity. This is the only signing I truly wish we had made.

Alfred: Right Winger, even with Raso we were looking light in the winger department and we didn’t sign anyone to replace her, even if she didn’t end up being integral in the team (in stark contrast to my prediction last year where I thought she’d be our most impactful signing). In a perfect world that’d be Clara Mateo, in a still ambitious but slightly more realistic one I would hope we’re taking a closer look at someone like Vivien Endemann in the winter window as she’d only have 6 months left on her contract. A fairly significant further step down would be Johanna Renmark, who would be available on a free during the winter window. That’s not to say she wouldn’t improve the team as she’s a very fast, athletic & technically gifted dribbler. But if we felt the need to make a statement signing elsewhere on the pitch then I think Renmark on a free transfer could potentially be a shrew bit of business. Even more so since Martin Ho has coached her himself and called her a great talent who he was looking forward to developing further.

Jack: Defensive midfield. While we have lots of midfielders, aside from Eveliina we lack a true defensive midfielder who can cover ground, make tackles and protect a back four. I worry badly if she gets injured or suspended.

Rachel: Defensive midfield. We had thought that this issue might be somewhat resolved by Kit Graham’s return from injury, but Ho evidently wants to use Graham in an attacking role.

6. Player signed by another WSL team that you wish we’d signed.

Lauren: Ruby Mace.

Tonaliana: In line with what I mentioned above, Ruby Mace. She’s young, provides real stability in midfield, is realistically attainable, English and in the national team setup. She would have given us a solid defensive midfield presence alongside Eveliina, who is more dynamic and could show it better.

Alfred: Obviously, Grace Clinton. She’s such of a gem of a player and person that I never soured on her even during the whole United ordeal. Other than her I’d say Grace Geyoro but there’s no shortage of big names that made their way to the WSL this season so I think there’s probably 10 or so correct answers to this question.

Jack: Ruby Mace. She would have been the defensive midfielder I think we badly need, to play alongside Eveliina, or in place of her, depending on form, fitness and the opposition.

Rachel: In terms of filling the midfield gap with realistic options, maybe Ruby Mace or even Katie Zelem. In terms of pure footballing fantasy, Alyssa Thompson or, less the finished item, Iman Beney and (and no reflection on Lize Kop) I had envy pangs when Chiamaka Nnadozie went to Brighton.

7. An existing player to look out for this season.

Lauren: Olivia Holdt. We should start seeing the best of Olivia now she’s over the major injury she had before we signed her.

Tonaliana: Olivia Holdt. She could benefit the most from Ho’s system, especially with her technical ability in zone 14 (the central area just outside the opponent’s penalty box, between the defenders and midfielders). Which will be key in a team looking to stay a bit narrow and overload that part of the pitch. I feel this really could be her breakthrough season.

Alfred: Olivia Holdt is going to be firing on all cylinders this season and end up our top G+A contributor.

Jack: For Spurs, Matilda Vinberg. Rest of the WSL, I’ll enjoy being able to watch Grace Clinton again not playing for a team who are literally devils.

Rachel: I think that both Matilda Vinberg and Oliva Holdt will shine in Ho’s system. But I’m going to predict that this is the year that Kit Graham stays injury free and shows her quality.

8. Likely Spurs league finish.

Lauren: 8^th

Tonaliana: 7th place. Going against the negative reports, I don’t think the squad is as weak as it seemed at the end of last season. The new signings and the manager give me confidence. The players just need trust and a system that maximizes their strengths.

Alfred: 8th. I think we’re comfortably better than West Ham and especially Leicester. Aston Villa, Brighton & Everton have made some good signings, Liverpool lost both Hinds & Smith. It’s tough to gauge where we are in comparison to them but I’d wager two of those four teams will look shaky enough for us to beat them.

Jack: 9^th.

Rachel: 8^th. But hopefully better.

9. With Levy’s departure what is your top request for Spurs Women from the new leadership?

Lauren: More investment into the playing squad so we can have consistent consecutive seasons in the WSL which will allow us to generate some momentum.

Tonaliana: Invest more in the team, both in terms of transfers/wages and in giving the players more games at the stadium. Promotion and visibility of the women’s team are key! In the games we had there, the club’s efforts to create a good atmosphere were really appreciated and we had some truly memorable moments. If the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the women’s team home too, I feel like we need more of it.

Alfred: A real scouting department and enough capital for us to consistently identify and sign a starting XI capable player in every single window.

Jack: To spend more money. For all the talk about sustainability and long-term thinking, if we are to progress we must spend more money. Not just on players – our infrastructure badly needs investment. A season where Martin beds in nicely, our younger players develop well and off the pitch we put together a good recruitment team and off-pitch structure which allows us to rebuild the squad over the upcoming transfer windows is what we should be aiming for.

Rachel: To develop a scouting team focused on Spurs Women and to commit to increased spending on transfers to improve our quality, starting in January 2026. Also, more consistent incorporation of the women’s side into club plans, including better promotion of the women’s team – basic stuff like having women’s merch in the shop and at Brisbane Road; Spurs branding visible on TV at Brisbane Road; and shirts with team names when we play at the main stadium (rather than only men’s team names).

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Thanks to all the supporters / Spurs writers who contributed. You can find most of them on Twitter (X) or Bluesky:

• Lauren is @laurencoys and @laurencoys.bsky.social
• Tonaliana is @tonaliana and @tonaliana.bsky.social
• Alfred is @arnebjrnarne
• Jack is not on twitter or bluesky
• Rachel is @spurswomenblog and @spurswomenblog.bsky.social