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Every year in the WSL, there is always a team who shocks everybody and outperforms all expectations.
Last season it was Liverpool; the season before it was Aston Villa.
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Tottenham made it to the FA Cup final last season for the first time in their historyCredit: Getty
This time, Tottenham are on track to be the dark horses who stun the field this season.
Their sixth place league finish was respectable, if not mind-blowing, last year, but it was their FA Cup campaign that better sums up just how far their manager has taken them in such a short time.
They looked increasingly organised, lively and dangerous in front of goal as the season went on – and the scoreline in their 4-0 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United obscured how competitive they had actually been in the first half.
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Bear in mind, just two seasons ago they had been one of the teams in the mix for relegation from the top tier – but some shrewd signings have made all the difference in recent years with attacking duo Beth England and Martha Thomas at the forefront of the team’s revolution.
And what is it about Spurs that makes them look so promising this season?
“I would say that we’re bold, determined and brave in the way in which we play out,” England told talkSPORT when asked what three words best summed up the club.
But it is the Swedish boss at the helm of the club whose calm and collected approach to management seems to have been the real catalyst for change.
Manager: Robert Vilahamn
The perfect way to sum up Robert Vilaham is by understanding the secret weapon he introduced during his first year at the club: team yoga sessions.
It has proved to be an activity that has converted even the most unlikely suspects, as striker England told talkSPORT.
“We’ve got an amazing yoga teacher, she’s called Jess,” she said. “She’s fantastic. And it’s not always been my cup of tea, but I have learnt to love it almost.
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Vilahamn has brought success, goals and yoga to North LondonCredit: Getty
“We’re still very much in the yoga-era under Robert. And yeah, I think most of the girls actually really enjoy it. So it’s a great way for us to help recover and switch off at times when we need to.”
Vilahamn managed a number of Swedish clubs from 2009 onwards, taking charge of top flight side BK Hacken immediately before his move to Spurs.
He has been a revelation, and his introduction of yoga to squad training has been a resounding success which seems to mirror the gentle but firm approach he takes to leadership.
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Having previously told talkSPORT that his intention was to lead at Spurs in the way that Ange Postecoglou had done on the men’s side, he has created an environment at the club which his players have had much praise for.
And how could they not, after the 41-year-old led them to a historic first ever FA Cup final which stirred up unprecedented levels of support for the side.
Not to mention, he led the team to their first ever north London derby win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on what was a very special day for the club.
With the Swede recently having signed a new three-year-contract with the club, there is every reason to believe Tottenham Women could indeed get their hands on a trophy before long.
Star player: Beth England
That statistics would tell you that Beth England was not her prolific self last season.
But they do not tell you that the former Lionesses striker was out with a hip injury until mid-January – and she still managed to score eight times in 21 appearances upon her return.
Of course, the season before she had scored 12 times in 12 appearances after signing for Tottenham in the transfer window.
And it is that kind of form that she will be looking to regain this campaign, with the striker telling talkSPORT that she is hungry for victory this season.
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England made the move from Chelsea in a successful bid to get more regular game timeCredit: Getty
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She was part of the England side who won Euro 2022Credit: Getty
“Obviously, we want to build on the success that we had last year in terms of reaching the FA Cup final, finishing sixth in the league,” she said. “We want to obviously push into breaking those barriers of aiming for top four and yeah just continuing to push and hopefully bring home a trophy and title to the club.”
She added: “For me I think it’s just about getting fit and making sure that obviously I had a bit of a half a season last year from my hip surgery. so it’s just I’m excited that I finally got a full pre-season under my belt and that I can go into the season just excited to play football again and hopefully bang the goals in like I know I can.”
It has been a hard couple of years for the former Chelsea star, as she was phased out of both the international set-up and the starting line-up under Emma Hayes.
But she has found a new place to shine with and she would love nothing more than to prove just how capable she is in front of a goal – perhaps with the Golden Boot, or even team honours.
One to watch: Martha Thomas
The Scottish forward who was billed as Beth England’s temporary stand-in last season ended up proving herself to be far, far more than just that.
Martha Thomas bagged ten goals across 27 appearances last season – but it was the occasion of some of her goals that most impressed.
After all, she scored the extra-time winner that got them into the FA Cup final and she scored the crucial goal that gave them their first ever win over Arsenal.
A big player for the biggest occasions who also has 19 goals in 38 international appearances, Tottenham suddenly find themselves with two of the best strikers in the league who are both fit and fighting ahead of the season – it’s an exciting prospect indeed.
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Thomas made a habit out of scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium last seasonCredit: Getty
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She was one of the side’s standout players in a season which seemed to mark a turning pointCredit: GettyTransfer window
It is hard to imagine that we will not be seeing young England star Grace Clinton tear up the pitch in a Tottenham shirt this season, given just how at home she looked in that position.
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But with the midfielder having been recalled from her loan spell by Manchester United, and seemingly taking Celin Bizet with her, the one area that could pose particular difficulty for Spurs is finding a replacement who offers the same energy and passing vision as her.
Vilahamn’s composure and clear intelligence all indicates they will find a solution – and new arrival Anna Csiki could be just that – but their campaign could well depend on just how well Clinton’s role is replaced.
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Clinton won the PFA’s Young Player of the Season Award for her work at SpursCredit: Getty
Tottenham Women transfers 24/25
In
Amanda Nilden (Juventus)
Ella Morris (Southampton)
Clare Hunt (Paris Saint-Germain)
Hayley Raso (Real Madrid)
Anna Csiki (BK Hacken)
Out
Asmita Ale to Leicester City
Ellie Brazil to Charlton
Nikola Karczewska to AC Milan
Gracie Pearse to Charlton
Ria Percival
Ramona Petzelberger
Shelina Zadorsky to West Ham
Barbora Votikova to Slavia Prague
Celin Bizet to Manchester United
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