Ho Ho Ho: Assessing The First Half of the Season Under Martin

It was clear in the summer that Spurs needed to move on from Robert Vilahamn. The 2024/25 season had been little short of a disaster. Tottenham only survived in the WSL thanks to the dire state of Crystal Palace. Such a shambles could not be repeated.

The question then, was not whether to reset things, but how. I confess I knew nothing of Martin Ho before he turned up at Hotspur Way, but it just a few short months he has revamped and revitalised a group of players that looked out on their feet. From the ground-out victory against West Ham and impressive away win against Everton to start the season, to the battling recent draw against Arsenal, each performance has shown us something different about the team's development. The mood has changed and it's clear the players are willing to give it all for the Liverpudlian. That last gasp win against Aston Villa would never have happened last season. (How many games have we said that after?)

Hold Shines, but Attacking Concerns Remain

The standout player so far has been Olivia Holdt. She has found new levels and everything good Spurs do going forward flows through her. This chart, generated using Earpiece from TwelveFootball, shows that clearly:

In Tinka Tandberg and Beth England, the team has two strikers who can both hold the ball and finish. However, it is also in attack that thing are slightly lack.

Quality, no Quanity, of Chances:

There has not been an uptick in attacking performance from last season:

Defensively things have not changed that much either:

   
So where have things improved? It is, in no small part, about the quality of chances. The data show that Tottenham Hotspur women are now creating 2.27 high opportunity shots per game in the WSL. With Tandberg, Holdt and England around, that can lead to goals. Last season, the team was struggling to turn possession into shots. 

Collapse Against Man Utd

Which brings us to last weekend. In many ways, the visit to Man Utd typified both the good and bad of the first half of this season for Spurs. They took the chances they had, with two exceptional headers and a good hit from Martha Thomas(!!!). Once the first Man Utd goal went in, they didn't have the defensive resilience, or the the resources off the bench, to hold back the tide.

It's hugely frustrating. Such a win would have been a real statement. Perhaps Spurs will knock Man Utd out of the League Cup on Sunday, but a WSL win would have really demonstrated progress. It's understandable that after getting hammered by Man City there has been a focus on defensive against "the big four". However, in future, Ho will have to be a little braver and push his players forwards if they are going to get such a win.

Overall, it's been a better start to the season than anyone who follows Spurs might have imagined. The mood around the team has totally changed. Martin Ho and his players can genuinely be proud of what they have done so far. January reinforcements are both expected, and needed, if things are going to kick on.