By Rachel Cohen.
5th October 2025.
Spurs entered the season with low expectations and for the first few games went under the radar. There were some decent results in low-scoring games, but few WoSo commentators paid much attention, except to comment on the big loss to City. But now, following a 1-0 home win over Brighton, it is game-week five and Tottenham are third in the WSL, equal on points with second placed Manchester City (although with a much worse goal difference) and just a point behind leaders, Chelsea. So what’s going on?
Let’s start off with the provisos: it is early in the season; there are going to be tougher tests to come – including Chelsea next week; the heavy loss against Manchester City raises concerns about how the team will perform against the most elite opposition.
All true. But similarly, we have seen some impressive transformations from last year’s Spurs.
First, winning ways: Spurs ended last season with a ten-game winless run that stretched between February and May. They have started this season winning four out of five games and have beaten WSL opponents, Aston Villa, in the Subway Cup. That is a massive turnaround. It also means that Spurs have already (in under a quarter of the season) racked up more than half (12) of their total points tally for last year (20). The most recent win – against Brighton – is especially notable, since Brighton are the team that finished fifth last season and were widely touted as a potential disrupter of the top four. Moreover, prior to today’s game little divided Spurs and Brighton – the two teams had both beaten Everton and West Ham, had lost to City and drawn with Aston Villa. As such this was a key test – and one that Spurs won.
Second, defending: Before the start of this season, Spurs had not kept a clean sheet since January 19th (conceding in every single game across the second half of last season). They have now kept clean sheets in three out of five WSL games, as well as a cup game. Moreover, in every game (other than against City) Spurs have given up less than one expected goal (xG < 1). In other words, the lack of goals conceded is not just due to luck, but speaks to a team that has denied the opposition good chances.
Third, signings: Spurs made only two signings and consequently were roundly criticised by commentators as not having done enough in the window to make real progress this season. While most Spurs supporters would like to have seen more activity, the two players that were brought in are young (aged 19 and 22), supremely talented and already fan favourites. Cathinka Tandberg has now scored in three games out of the five (including cup) she has started, has won the Club Goal of the month (only the second women’s player to do so) and is nominated for WSL player and goal of the month. Tandberg has also answered the question Spurs supporters have been asking for years: who can score when Bethany England doesn’t? Tōko Koga has played every minute of every game since arriving (including preseason) and has been hugely impressive; her partnership with Clare Hunt, allowing the Australian to blossom alongside her. At this point is there another team whose summer signings have had more impact (barring the promoted London City Lionesses, whose team is almost entirely new signings)?
Fourth, scoring: Spurs have only scored seven goals. But they have scored in every league game, even the one they lost. Last season Spurs failed to find the net in half of the last ten games. As noted above Tandberg has been crucial here. But Spurs are also getting in the space to shoot more, currently sitting fifth in the WSL (behind the traditional ‘big four’) for shots on target per match (4.8) and goals per match (1.4).
Fifth, Pressing: The improvement in Spurs’ pressing has impressed (pardon the pun). Last season there seemed to be no connection between the different units on the pitch. In the first halves against Everton, Leicester and Brighton we have seen a team working together with clear triggers and this has worked – producing multiple turnovers, defensive errors and poor opposition passes. There is still work to be done to sustain this energy and pressure over the whole game with the team pushed back in the second half in each of these games. But even in the final minutes of games Spurs players are showing the energy to chase down and aggressively double up on players to win back the ball. The only downside is that the team is picking up fouls (averaging 11.8 per game – second only to Everton) and yellow cards – which might mean key players face suspensions later in the season.
Sixth, Coaching: By the end of last season some supporters were calling for wholesale culls of the existing squad, many of whom seemed off the pace, error-prone or simply ineffective. This season those same players appear reborn. Hunt, discussed above, is a case in point. Seemingly fragile in the back end of last season the centre-back has arguably been our most consistent player this term. Similarly, by the end of last season Jess Naz was mostly running into dead ends or vainly chasing balls over the top. This season Naz has shown her value in pressing off the ball and link up play, culminating in an assist and player of the match performance against Brighton. Similar transformations have been seen across a raft of other players. This is what good coaching and simply having a game plan can do.
Seventh, Mood: Football is not all about ‘wanting it’ or ‘confidence’. But the whole team seemed in a fug by the end of last season. Whatever Martin Ho and his staff did to press the reset button this summer, alongside a raft of good results, has reversed that – for both players and supporters.
There will inevitably be lows to come. But, for now, Spurs are riding high. So let’s bask in the positivity. And, just to end with some pettiness: it is now technically impossible for Arsenal to overtake us in the table until (at the earliest) after the International Break in November.
Spurs Women Blog 
Good overview again Rachel but for me “is it really sustainable?” only time will tell. Injuries can have a massive effect on how the team goes forward esp as the skill level of those on the bench are questionable at best due to poor signings over the last few years. That has not changed. Let us all bask in the sunshine whilst it lasts but come Jan we have to start replacing those that are holding us back esp those in the 25/26 last contracted year. We cannot keep given out extns to poor players just becos of who they r and how long they have been here for … Martha Thomas is the latest. I can accept Molly as a CB backup. This Jan we def need top elite left and right wing attackers as all 4 of ours that are used mostly are simply not good enough if we really want top 4/5 to be realistic and I do not include Olivia. We know who they are. I have been saying that for 6+ seasons now but moreover we def need 2 top elite central creative midfielders as well – Hopefully the rumour on Signe Gaupset could be one of those but we have to also find another. With these 4 intakes we could make a real statement and then move on the next cohort during a massive rebuild that our club should be investing into esp if they still want to spend the Mills on the old golf course redevelopment and create the best women’s football training facility probably in Europe. Infrastructure doesnt win leagues or cups or entry into the CL – players do. We now have a great Management set up since Martin came in and only now we need a Dir of Women’s Football and a top Player finder guru and oh yes a good accountant that has a bat phone direct to the CEO for investment. They we can make a statement that means something.
I am enjoying the run thus far but I have been following this team for over 10 seasons now and I have always been let down badly by the club since we joined the WSL. Fingers crossed now with Levy gone we will turn a corner – COYSW
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Great review Rachel! I was seated in block E, which gave me a great view of the Spurs attack in the first half. This was the most solid team(i.e shape) and team performance I’ve seen. Almost Ancelotti like, how Ho has got the best out of everyone in the squad. Naz was mostly playing down the left last season, which didn’t suit her. Now she’s a RW(and a bit of a license to stretch the back line) with very less defensive responsibilities which has got the best out of her. Beth was the lone ST for most of last season, lacked support but now as a second striker mostly down the right with players around and ahead of her. Tinka seems to have settled in really well and is a great pressing machine, and also a bully in a good way. The backline is solid and the CM combination as well. There are a bit of weaknesses in a few areas – Evelina is a bit slow to track back during counter attacks. And Nev was dribbled past easily few times, but it was her first start and I’m a fan of hers anyway.
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If my memory serves me right there were 16 players whose contracts conclude in 2026 and 2 have been given extns. That leaves 14 players who can talk to clubs in Jan so will we do a London City total rebuild in one go. No I doubt it so if this is the case we have to be really careful who we keep on and are they good enough to be match winners from the bench. Even Beth’s contract is up ???. That is why we need to look for 4 top players in Jan so that they gel quickly and get the 2nd part of the season looking up and not down. Then another 5/6 in the summer as that would change the core of the team leaving enough quality as bench warmers who can come on and do a job. We have to be harsh and let players go even if they are so called club legends to some. If we do not do this then we will carry on being nothing but fighting for the best of the bottom 6 and back to where we r now but on higher wages. Martin Ho has proved in just a few games that he is being noticed and we now have the potential to build a great side that WILL compete at the top and underpin our brand in the women’s game at last. COYSW
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I’d like us to recruit a speedy central midfielder, who can obviously play. Drew & Eve have great experience but they struggle to keep up with play, especially in 2nd half of games.
If we can add some speed and energy to the midfield, and add in a Signe Gaupset as well, then we will have the makings of a top 5 squad.
Heard good things about Ho before he joined and he certainly seems to be delivering – club now need to give him the tools he wants.
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Totally agree Xander … we def need to upgrade the likes of Naz Vinberg Dennis and Gatwick on the wings – none are top class sorry and we need wingers in the calibre of Hemp and Kelly to ensure our front line gets the service. I also agree with Spence and Summanen but then the others Ahtinen Oroz also do not last as are others in the squad and why this season BIG DECISIONS have to be made and some contracts culled to allow us to go forward. Too many good players have been available over the last 4/5 seasons and we did zilch about it. Tinka and Koga is a good start to kick off a massive rebuild but we have to move on at least 12 if not all 14 players over the next 2 windows and we DEF need Signe and another in the mould of Clemaron to come in and sure up the midfield for the 2nd part of the season. As I said earlier we cannot keep players becos of who they are and just becos they have become role models and fan favourites. It is all about elite talent being brought in and then the fanbase will increase – “if u build it they will come” is my motto and I stick by that. We just have not done that in 6 seasons maybe becos of Levy. Now we are clear of him so lets have the investment and do something positive in the market otherwise what is the point of developing the women’s game at Spurs if we dont want the best players to join but only the usual mediocre ones. I am hopeful but Jan will prove it to me that they really will support Martin
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Weirdly enjoyed the game yesterday. We were very organised defensively and the fact Kop had so few shots to deal with is a credit to the whole side.
Now for the negatives. I assume he chose Vinberg over Holdt because he feels Vinberg works harder off the ball. In fairness, our best attacking moments cane when Vinberg drove up the pitch with the ball but I feel that Holdt would have allowed us to retain the ball better when we did get it. Personal preference, I guess.
The gulf in class was clear on the bench. With Reitan, Kerr, Bronze etc compared to Thomas, LGW and Grant.
I don’t expect us to match Chelsea for squad depth yet. We are years behind them development-wise, but I really hope we have bigger plans from January.
I’d like the club to be really bold and get in at least 2, and preferably 3, top quality players in January and then do 4 or 5 more in the Summer.
The gap is closing from the usual top 3 to the rest and we need to make sure we are at the head of the chasing pack if any slip up.
Just as an aside. So jealous that they have Thompson. That sort of speed creates havoc and I would do anything for us to have a player of that ilk – yes, I know she cost them a fortune, but thats where we are, if we want the best we have to pay for it.
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Agree again Xander – we did well although but not ezy watching a game of 100% defending and then we didnt coverd the one that mattered, did we? For me Kop should have seen that coming and positioned herself better but she didnt. A 1-0 is not a disgrace but halts our progress and it will happen again when the other 2 appear in the next few weeks Arsenal and MU. Ho is doing well in coping with nosebleed territory but Ive already said and agree we DEF NEED 3/4 TOP players in now come Jan, not like for like and start culling players who will not get any better anytime soon. Ive named them as well. B4 u have a bench that can come on and change games u need a 1st team squad of top players … we do not have that .. only a nucleus of about 7 out of 25 worth building around. That is the problem. We need about 5/6 Mill from mother to rebuild to match these teams every season.
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Maite picked up an ACL so that is another one of our better players sidelined for a long period.
So that really leaves limited creativity in midfield all over again – roll on January
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We def need 2 midfield maestros come Jan if not 3 now that Maite is out – the others are mediocre at best bar maybe Drew but she cannot last games anymore and maybe its time to let her go come the summer
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Rumour has it that Viv Lewis is going to take on the women’s cause directly no doubt as a project and already getting involved in identifying better players for the team. My motto always was “if u build they will come” so after 6.5 seasons of mostly like for like mediocre signings we may have turned a corner. The proof will be what happens in Jan as 14 players will be allowed to look at new horizons .. just hope we dont hand out another basket full of extn offers to players that will not get any better. We need elite players in if we want top 6 every WSL season … to build a bigger fanbase
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So it appears Koga and Summy have both taken on injuries during the first part of the Intl break but no info as to how bad … well that does not bear well for the push to Jan with our next game againt Pool at Home on Sunday.
Guess Molly will have to take over CB right side and with Maite now out for the season we have little option but to use lesser skilled players from the bench to fill Summy’s shows .. unless Drew will be fit in time, fingers crossed. Graham and Ahtinen dont fill me with glee if picked thats for sure.
Never ezy with our squad – why? becos of signing and extndg many poor players over the seasons. Roll on Jan to start overhauling the deadwood.
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seems Martin went to see Brann v Man U recently and possible had time to talk to Signe (if allowed) … hopefully he also is interested in Ellen Wangerheim. She has to be an upgrade on Naz and Vinberg (at least she knows where the goal is and has played with Tinka b4)
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Well “things have gone right” 5 times out of 7 in the WSL for us luckily and we now have 15 points of the 20 collected last season but somehow we have to start winning well and not defending a 1 goal lead all the time. Defending for the first goal was really poor and what was Summanen thinking trying to pass a ball back under pressure to the GK in our goal area – kamikaze or what. Our passing in some instances was still way off – there really is no excuse is there? We need to get better but clearly some players cannot and its time to cut these hopefully in Jan whilst they have any value. COYSW
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Looks like Signe is coming soon … her league finishes on the 19th so tech she could come early on a 3 month visa to train and settle in and meet the players ready for Jan window announcement
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This report is over a month old Rachel – surely we need a new one … maybe on the rumours
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Well things didnt quite go right on Sunday did it? too many players not on form at all (for me they were the usual ones that are holding us back). It maybe a 4-2 loss with us having most of the possession but with only 3 shots on target in 110 mins of actual play and losing the 2nd half 3-1 is quite poor as we never ever looked liked winning this game and made them look better. Defending after losing the ball so many times was very poor and has to be seen as yet another wake up call.
Roll on Jan and start moving these deadwood players out please
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Well if true we have secured the service of Signe then things r a changing for the better but we need more in Jan – esp 2 elite wing attackers, another top striker to replace Thomas and another midfield maestro to replace Oroz – then in the summer a better GK is a must.
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If we buy Signe for £350k that is a steal – she would be worth twice that – just hope another team doesnt come in with a bigger better offer as it will be an Eze on the women’s team all over again
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reading between the lines, Gaupset wants to play for Ho and understands she is likely to play regularly at Spurs rather than be heavily rotated at a ‘big club’.
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As we fans say – when i see her in a shirt then Ill believe but agree she will get a regular first start for sure … now hopefully we r looking at elite wing attackers .. maybe even a punt at Stanway for midfield would be a better option than those on the bench
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Stanway would be a very good addition and she is out of contract shortly.
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Yep – next Summer but maybe we would be allowed to pre-agree her in Jan if she wants a challenge rather than go into a top 4 side and sit on the bench
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So we have quite a poor performance against City but come away with a win to get into the draw – then the WSL decide to get in a couple of clown muppets to do it – what a farce? … someone’s head should roll for allowing this to tarnish all the good the club teams r trying to do. So if the draw is not done again (which in my book it shoeld be) then we face the side that pasted us at the FAC final …. guess we aint gonna get to the next round with our lacklustre attacking wings and we cannot even play Signe as she is not allowed to play until Jan. Such is life supporting Spurs eh?
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