Tottenham vs Everton: Consistency the key for Robert Vilahamn as WSL season approaches conclusion
Manager Robert Vilahamn is demanding focus as Spurs travel to face Everton in the third-to-last game of his debut campaign in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Spurs are unlikely to climb or fall from sixth in the WSL standings, trailing fifth-placed Liverpool by eight points and leading seventh-placed Aston Villa by six, though they have a game in-hand on both sides.
Alongside this lack of WSL jeopardy, Spurs will be tempted to cast one eye on the following Sunday’s trip to Wembley, where they will face Manchester United in the club’s first ever women’s FA Cup final.
But Vilahamn is upholding the standards which have driven them within five points of their best ever WSL tally (32).
Vilahamn has enjoyed a successful season since arriving from Swedish side BK Häcken
Spurs travel to Merseyside boasting an undefeated record in their previous six games.
They have also been buoyed by the surge in form of captain Bethany England, whose two goals in two league outings have placed her on the shortlist for April’s WSL player of the month.
Asked about England’s importance, Vilahamn revelled in her rediscovered clinical edge.
“We’ve played really good football this year and we’ve scored a few really nice goals, but we haven’t really scored as many as we want to despite creating quite a lot of chances.
“I think Bethany is a great goalscorer. She is that leader and role model that we need and hopefully she can score even more goals and inspire others to score.”
England rescued a point with an 81st minute equaliser against Brighton last weekend
There are reasons for caution as well as confidence, though.
Amy Turner is side-lined with a ‘small issue,’ but remains in contention for next weekend’s cup final.
Drew Spence, Celin Bizet, and top scorer Martha Thomas return to the squad, but ninth-placed Everton will provide stern opposition nonetheless.
Two 1-1 draws underline the strength of today’s opponent, with Spurs having settled for that score line at home in November, and then watching North London rivals Arsenal fall to a 95th minute equaliser from 16-year-old Issy Hobson – the WSL’s youngest ever goalscorer – last weekend.
“Everton play well, they defend well, they press high, and even though they’re not always getting the result, they are a very good team,” said Vilahamn.
“Brian [Sørenson] has done great work with that team and those squad players. They never give up and they also put on these young players who can have an impact.
“It just shows that this league is very competitive and that’s why you want to be in it. There’s so many games where you don’t know who’s going to win it and you have to be very sharp.”
Hobson cancelled out Alessia Russo’s opener
The positive strides Spurs have made since November will instil some confidence ahead of this tough test.
“Now we are probably in a new phase where we’re trying to make sure everyone in the squad knows how we’re going to deal with different stuff,” Vilahamn told the Sports Gazette.
A breakout season for former Evertonian Grace Clinton has been a key part of that story. And with the Lionesses’ marauding midfielder ineligible to face her parent club United next Sunday, the 21-year-old may welcome an opportunity to play out some frustration.
“I think you could tell after the semi-final that she was a little bit low and thinking a lot about missing the final,” said Vilahamn.
“But since then she’s been training really well – she’s a very professional young player.”
Clinton’s performances this season earned her a Lionesses call-up
Though there is little at stake in the WSL, Vilahamn hopes a strong conclusion to this season can foreground an even stronger campaign next time.
“The main thing is to try and have a really good run in these last four games, to play some really good football and to be consistent and then to build on that next year.
“You will remember these last games when you go to the summer break and when you come back so we need to be sharp to make sure we continue to develop and start on a good step next year.”
