Spurs 6-0 Reading (Conti Cup) | Robert’s verdict: “Good attacks, great finishing… I’m very happy”
Thu 12 October 2023, 00:28|
Tottenham Hotspur
Robert Vilahamn was delighted to see a much-changed side build on our positive start to the season with an impressive performance and resounding victory in Wednesday night’s Continental Cup tie with Reading.
We opened our Group D account in scintillating fashion at Brisbane Road, debutant Zhang Linyan opening the scoring inside 10 minutes and Kit Graham rifling home a stunning long-range goal, before Asmita Ale, Ria Percival, Jessica Naz and Martha Thomas completed a 6-0 victory in the second half.
Angharad James was the only player to retain her place in the team from Sunday’s 3-1 home win over Bristol City in the Women’s Super League as Robert made 10 changes, but the Head Coach was thrilled that those who came into the side were able to fit straight into the attacking system we’ve seen in our first two WSL games.
“I’m very pleased, it’s six different goalscorers, the players were making some really good attacks and some great finishing as well, so I’m very happy,” he told SPURSPLAY.
“I think it’s a good way for the other players who haven’t played the first games to show me where they are and also to show the fans that they are really good players as well, and to show that this new Tottenham style is about togetherness. We do it together and I think the players showed that tonight – 10 new players, they still played the way we should do and I liked that.”
Another debutant, Barbora Votikova, kept a clean sheet, with Robert impressed by our defensive work to limit the visitors to very few openings.
“Yes… Amy Turner and Shelina Zadorsky got their first minutes for a long time, Azzy (Asmita Ale) is scoring goals and doing wonderful stuff and Gracie Pearse got minutes at right-back, so that defensive line and the goalkeeper performed very well and made sure that Reading had difficulty to score against us,” he said.
On Linyan’s debut goal, Robert added: “I've seen her play a lot before and I know that she has some really good talent and today she showed that. She’s only been with us for a few days and she’s already adapting to life in England so I’m very pleased with her.”
