Presser points | Palace vs Spurs (WLC) | Robert Vilahamn

Robert Vilahamn spoke to the media at Hotspur Way on Monday afternoon, ahead of our final match in Group E of the Women's League Cup against Crystal Palace at Sutton on Wednesday evening (7pm).

Here's what he had to say...

Ella Morris

Robert was asked how the club is supporting Ella as she begins her journey back from a serious knee injury...

Robert: “Yeah, I mean, she is an extremely positive person. Of course, she's upset with the injury, but she's in the building, she's working really hard to get back, and she’s bringing some good energy anyway. I'm impressed with how she's handling it. She’s taking steps every day in the gym as well. We’re looking forward to having her back, but it will be many weeks before that."

Eveliina Summanen + team news

Robert was asked if Eveliina’s late withdrawal in Sunday’s WSL win against Palace was due to injury, and for a team news update...

Robert: "No, it was cramp in the calf. We took the decision to make a double switch, so there's no injury there. Luana is back in full training, so she's going to be part of the squad. Amy (James-Turner) has missed the last two days of training, so she's probably not going to be picked for Wednesday."

Striking a balance

Robert was asked how he plans to strike the balance in terms of rotating for cup and WSL matches...

Robert: “I think it's always a mixture of how much you can use the squad and still have a really strong 11. Obviously, this game is quite important if we're going to come through to the quarter-final or not, but on the other hand, we have a really good squad with upcoming players that also deserve to play and we should have a squad that take us to qualifying, not a starting 11. We play Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, so obviously I'm going to make sure I'm using the squad on Wednesday and Saturday and I think most of the teams in the league do that and I think it's a great opportunity to make sure we get some play time for some other players as well, because if you're going to get yourself into the starting 11, you need to also get the chance to play, and if you play in a in a competitive game instead of a friendly game, that's so much more better. So, it's a great way for me to assess the players, but still compete in a good competition."

Winter break

We have a break between fixtures after Sunday’s WSL clash at Brighton until the WSL resumes on 19 January - Robert was asked if he was of the mindset of the break coming at a good time to recoup, or a bad time as the team has momentum...

Robert: “I think it will come at a good time, because we have had a tough run of a few games now, we’ve come through a journey and every time you have a lot of games you need the recovery as well. So, even if we're winning, you need the break to recover, to reflect a little, to make sure we take the next step no matter if we're winning or losing. We're looking forward to the break, but we have two more games and we want to make sure we have some really good performances and results before the break.”

Palace

Robert was asked for his thoughts on Palace...

Robert: “They made a lot of good signings before the season started and to get those signings to play together and learn how to play together under their manager… after those first games they have competed very much in that all the games. For me, Palace is not a team that is obviously going to go down. They have actually showed me they are ready to stay in the Women's Super League and on their day, they can beat anyone. Look at the players they have, as well. It’s a good opponent for us. It’s going to be fun to play them again and see where we are and see where they are, but it's also nice to go in this game with a good feeling, if we win or draw, we’re into the quarter-finals. I love those games.”

Heaps/Spencer

It was put to Robert that Eleanor Heeps had a positive first start in the WSL on Sunday, so would she be back in goal against Palace...

Robert: “Becky Spencer is coming back from sickness, so let's see how she is tomorrow in training. Katelin (Talbert) is training well as well. We pick the team tomorrow, but of course it's a chance that she’s playing, because she has performed really good in two matches in a row now.”

Palace’s approach

Palace need to win well to have a chance of progressing, Robert was asked how he thought they might approach the game...

Robert: “They are obviously aware that they need to win the game and to score a few goals and also be dependent on Aston Villa losing their game. We play Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday. They play Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday, and I think like us the league games are really important. No matter what team they play, I think they actually have a strong squad this year. I think they they're quite clear in what they want to do and they're doing it quite well, so I think it's going to be more competitive than the first game we played against them (a 4-0 win on WSL opening weekend in September), a much tougher game, but hopefully we can play the way we want to and win."

Beth England

Robert was asked if Beth England was hitting her top levels again...

Robert: “I was very happy to see her yesterday (Beth scored both goals in our 2-1 win vs Everton) in the way she pressed, the way she was in the box, her touch, how she was moving and running and the two finishes as well. The leadership has always been there. Her way of acting as a great character is really good, but now she's also getting the connections right. I’m just happy she takes the journey, keeps taking steps, keeps scoring goals, because I think she can be even better in the future, now she gets to know the players. You know, Hayley (Raso) hasn't played too many minutes with her, for example, Maite (Oroz) as well. It’s going to be a good rest of the season if they can stay sharp and get the relationships they need.”

The next step...

Robert was asked if last season’s FA Cup Final loss has made the players all the more determined to go one better this time around...

Robert: “We had a taste of what we can do when we have a great run in the cup and I feel like we realise that we can compete for trophies. I definitely realise that Tottenham is a sleeping giant with finding a way to get those trophies again, and if we have a good result tomorrow, we are just three games from a from a trophy. I really want to win a trophy for the fans at this club, so we're going to do our best. But you also know that every game is really tough in this competition. We're getting closer and closer, and we are getting better in cup games every time we play, so the experience is good. Hopefully we'll reach the final and then we have learned something from the other final so we can make sure we have a better performance.”

Last time out in the League Cup...

Learnings

Robert was asked what he learned from the team’s recent tough run...

Robert: “It’s about how we want to play and defend and everything, but it's also how you find ways when you start losing games, how players, staff, fans and the club can handle the emotional journey, because you can get very emotional and frustrated and angry. The main thing is to stay calm and focused on the performance and what we're going to do and make sure we have a bit of perspective. What I'm learning is to stay calm and make sure you don't change formation, or don't change too much, believe in the players, because the players are great, the staff is great, we just need to make sure we keep believing in it, because when you do that, you're going to have long-term success. We are quite young as a team, and that's what you need to go through. You need to go through some tough times as well, and I think I'm learning that every time - don't be too emotional and then just make sure even if people around you are emotional, just stay calm. We have a plan. We know what we're doing. We know how we're going to get better. We're obviously going to lose games, and sometimes with big numbers, but if we stay calm and focus on the on the journey, we're going to have a success in the end.”

Moving on

It was put to Robert that everyone must feel in a happier place after a couple of wins...

Robert: “Happiness is a strange thing because, yes, it's really nice to win, but happiness is just for the moment. So, when we won yesterday, five minutes, great stuff, but then you're focusing on the next game and what we need to improve. It’s not too much happiness as a coach... you need to make sure you find a way to deal with the players who didn't play and everything as well. Of course, you're calmer when you win a game, the players are happier, but it’s not too much about happiness as a coach, it's more about hard work and making sure you have a plan for the next one!”