Tottenham Hotspur season preview: Prioritising progress

Our Spurs writer Rachel Cohen on the next phase of Robert Vilahamn's project.

This is Spurs’ sixth season in the WSL and the club is still in some ways playing catch up. But after a good 2023-24 with lots to get excited about, as well as a few low-lows, this season is all about whether the Robert Vilahamn project kicks on or fizzles out. 

What happened last season?

At the start of last season, Vilahamn arrived and sought to develop a ‘Tottenham way’ of playing football which was essentially front-footed possession-based football. A first ever FA Cup Final appearance signalled progress. However, that final was lost heavily and the team ended the season in sixth, three places better than in 2022-23 but a place lower than Rehanne Skinner’s defence-first team had achieved two years previously. 

Of course, in a condensed league differences in mood and performance may not be perfectly reflected in league position. There was still a palpable sense that the club was on the up and the relegation fight of 2022-23 felt a distant memory.

Spurs got a first North London Derby win and beat Manchester City, albeit at the fourth time of asking. When Grace Clinton and long-time Spurs-player Jessica Naz got Lioness callups it felt like Tottenham had arrived as a serious club, capable of developing international players. 

In July Vilahamn’s contract was extended until 2027 in recognition of his team’s on-pitch progress, signalling the club’s buy-in to his long-term project. 

Sum up the summer transfer window….

Before the window opened Vilahamn spoke about bringing in two or three key players. An unknown was whether Spurs could prise Grace Clinton from Manchester United. If not, replacing her creativity in midfield was an obvious transfer priority. Less expected were the departure of Celin Bizet, precipitated when United triggered her release clause, and an ACL injury to midfielder Kit Graham (her second in three years).

Vilahamn’s incomings have therefore reflected this. Theres’s the squad strengthening signings of Clare Grant and Amanda Nildén, someone for long-term development in Ella Morris, midfield creativity from Anna Csiki and Maite Oroz, and the Bizet replacement Hayley Raso.

Ten senior players left. Many had already been loaned out last year (Asmita Ale, Shelina Zadorsky, Ria Percival, Grace Pearse) or played minimal minutes (Ellie Brazil, Ramona Petzelberger, Barbora Votíková). These departures have made space for young players returning from lower-league loans (Lenna Gunning-Williams and Araya Dennis) to feature. 

Goalkeeper is unfinished business. Becky Spencer apparently remains first choice and is great on the ball but weak at shot-stopping and has only been extended a year. Academy graduate Eleanor Heeps received a three-year extension but has to-date played zero minutes, while Spurs’ loan of Katelin Talbert from West Ham until January is probably more stopgap than endpoint. 

The team is also thin in defensive midfield, meaning our season may depend on Eveliina Summanen remaining fit and able to put in long shifts, Drew Spence improving her stamina or Olga Ahtinen’s return to form. That said, Vilahamn is positionally flexible and could simply adjust the formation, move players back/forwards forwards or into new roles. 

Who should we keep an eye on this season?

Most new signings arrived on the back of limited minutes at their previous clubs, making it difficult to predict how they will perform. But the upper bar is high for both Maite Oroz and Anna Csiki whose key task will be better linking-up our attack. Meanwhile Spurs staff, as well as those who have watched her for Southampton or England youth squads, are very excited about young right-back Ella Morris. 

In terms of existing players, Jess Naz made big strides last year but there remains scope for her to improve, especially in terms of goal contributions. January signing, Matilda Vinberg made the most of relatively limited game-time last year, going from substitute to starter. With a full season to carve out a role she could develop into one of Spurs most potent attackers. Finally, ex-Academy player Lenna Gunning-Williams has an eye for goal and may break through if given minutes. 

Fixture you’ve marked in your calendar…. 

Spurs need to hit the ground running and rack up points in the first two games against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa because after that there is a run of six games, five of which are against sides that finished above us last season.

Liverpool at home on 6 October is the first challenge. Last season, Spurs drew both of their games against The Reds and it reflected a season-long issue of struggling to break down well organised teams and create chances from extended periods of possession. Fixing that would mark a big step forward. 

The North London Derby at Tottenham Stadium on 17 November is always one for the calendar, especially since last year’s fixture was such a surprising delight. 

Prediction….

Optimistically 5th, but with every team strengthening, a small league and fine margins, it could easily be 7th. One advantage Spurs have in comparison to some teams that finished below us last season is management continuity. Vilahamn has now had three transfer windows to shape the squad and bring in the positionally flexible, ball-playing players that suit his style. He has also had time over the summer to work on fitness, which he identified as a problem last season. 

Spurs’ pre-season games have all been behind closed doors, making it hard to get a sense of how the squad is gelling. But reports and rumours are that our friendly games went well with most new players involved and lots of scope for optimism. So, maybe this is the season when Rob-ball or RV-ball or bobby-ball comes to fruition, and we agree what it’s called.

Rachel is a North Londoner, Spurs Women season ticket holder and longtime Spurs supporter. She started and writes for Spurswomenblog and talks about Spurs Women on the N17 Women podcast.