WSL 2022/23 Preview 10: Tottenham Hotspur
WSL 2021/22 final position: 5th
The best of the rest outside the WSL big four last season, Tottenham have freshened up their squad for 2022/23 with last season’s top scorer, Leicester-born Rachel Williams, among the summer departures.
How we fared last season
3 October 2021: Leicester City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Along with Birmingham and Reading, Leicester were one of three sides to lose their first four games of the season - which meant, despite shipping another two goals at home to Tottenham, there were two sides worse off at the final whistle.
In contrast, this win made it four in a row at the start of the season for Spurs as they ended the day level on points with Arsenal at the summit. Former Leicester striker Rachel Williams opened the scoring in the first half. Leicester captain Ashleigh Plumptre was made to regret two second-half misses when Spurs wrapped up the points through substitute Angela Addison two minutes from time.
8 May 2022: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Leicester City 0
By far the biggest stage Leicester graced during 2021/22’s WSL campaign was the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the final game of the season. Although competitive, the visitors fell to an Ashleigh Neville header four minutes into the second half.
Just after the hour mark Tottenham brought on Josie Green, who will be lining up on the opposite side this season having made the switch to Leicester this summer.
This result ensured the hosts were the fifth and final team in the table to end with a positive goal difference, although their +1 was some way off the numbers racked up by the four best sides in the division, with Tottenham ten points off - a clear indicator of the gulf they must try to close this season.
When we face them this season
Home: 18 September 2022
Away: 21/22 January 2023
What the papers say
‘[Manager Rehanne] Skinner has added players with much-needed WSL experience in Chelsea’s Drew Spence and Orlando Pride’s Amy Turner and Angharad James. Ellie Brazil has joined from Brighton to strengthen the attack and a lesser-known attacking player, Nikola Karczewska, has arrived from the French side FC Fleury after scoring 10 times in 24 games.’
Suzanne Wrack, The Guardian - read Suzanne’s full Tottenham season preview
View from the stands: Chris Paouros
How happy were you with Tottenham in the WSL last season?
We had a good season! Spurs Women have always been about steady growth. We were the first team to reach the WSL by working our way through the pyramid. Last season we pushed on from the season before.
What are your expectations for this season and how happy are you with your transfer business?
Continuous improvement! Our transfer business seems to have been good. We have shored up in the positions we needed to and have created depth in the squad. I guess we’ll see on Sunday!
Which Tottenham players should we look out for this season?
Ash Neville always and I don’t think you can underestimate the impact Drew Spence will have in the midfield.
We’re also looking forward to having Kit Graham’s sweet left peg back in the team following a cruciate injury.
How confident are you feeling ahead of the opening game against Leicester?
Opening games are often odd, but this is a great group of players and we have a great manager so I’d like to see some intention on Sunday; see us make our mark.
Lastly, how was Euro 2022 for you?
MAGIC! I missed the first couple of games I had tickets to due to COVID but LOVED IT!
I loved there being a festival of women’s football on our doorstep and the atmosphere in the runup to the final and the final itself was incredible.
Women’s football is finally on the map. Let’s keep it there.
Chris is co-chair of the official Spurs LGBTQ+ Supporters’ Association.
Follow Chris on Twitter at @chrispaouros and Proud Lilywhites at @SpursLGBT