Presser Points | Spurs vs Everton (WSL) | Robert Vilahamn

Robert Vilahamn spoke to the media at Hotspur Way on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Women’s Super League clash against Everton at Brisbane Road (1pm UK).

Here’s what he had to say…

Team news

First up for Robert was the latest team news after the international break…

Robert: “Ella [Morris] suffered an injury with the Young Lionesses and, unfortunately, it’s an MCL injury, so she will be out for around 10 to 12 weeks. It’s unlucky because she was really upcoming here. Maite [Oroz] is back in training and is available for the squad on Sunday. Luana [Buhler] had a knock but she’s back on the grass and is taking steps, so we will see if she’s ready or not, we will have to wait and see tomorrow. There’s a bit of a sickness going on but, hopefully, everyone one else will be able to train tomorrow.”

International break

Following the final international break of the year, Robert was posed with the question about how it has affected preparations ahead of Sunday…

Robert: “Obviously, we have a lot of players playing for the national teams, which is very, very fun, but also means that we had very few players to train with. On the other hand, we can actually work with details, quite many of them were in the defensive line, so we can work with the build-up and phases of the game. We were using academy players in a few sessions, we were using college boys in one training session to make sure we can practice tactical issues as well. It was great to come from that win against Aston Villa and a clean sheet, to come to training and make sure we recover, but also start the preparation for Everton. Today, everybody was back, training on the grass and trying to make sure we have a good game plan for Sunday.”

Looking back at Villa

Robert was asked about what positives he took from our win over Villa in the Women’s League Cup…

Robert: “First of all, to have a clean sheet, I mean, we conceded a lot of goals before that, it was really nice to see how we nailed the high press and the low defence in some part of the games. Also, Eleanor to play her first game and get a clean sheet was really nice to see. In the build-up, we were much braver, we created some really good chances, obviously we scored one amazing goal, but we need to be even sharper and we want to try to finish more goals. Overall, it was a good step from the other games we had before, we can use that to take the next step against Everton.”

Everton

The attention was then turned towards this weekend’s opponents and Robert was asked about our previous results against Everton…

Robert: “I mean, you can always look at it back and forth, but it’s a game between two teams, one team will win or it will be a draw. It’s the same manager as last season and, I think, he's a really good manager with good technical skills, I'm aware of their squad and what kind of players they have. So, we know that we need to be very sharp, tactically and physically in this game, but I also know that we could have won those games last season and I know, if we get everything right, we have a good chance to win.”

Robert was then asked about what overall threats they pose as a team…

Robert: “I think the tactics from the coach gives the players a brave way to play, they find ways to not lose the big games, for example, against Liverpool and Arsenal. So, good defence and good players, they can score from anywhere but, once again, they've been struggling. We need to make sure we go in hard in this game and make sure we don't give them so much space.”

Depth at full-back

Following the news about Ella’s injury, Robert was asked about the depth in full-back positions with Ashleigh Neville, Amanda Nilden and Ashleigh Neville all available for selection…

Robert: “You want to have this competitive squad, where you have two players in each position and sometimes people can double up in a different position. If you look at Charlotte Grant, perhaps she hasn't played too much in the last games, but she's a national team player for Australia, bringing a lot of energy. Ella didn't play too much in the beginning, but then she played the other game and was great, it's all about competition and who's bringing the best to the table, but they should be ready every time they get the chance. We have great fullbacks and have great support there, this is just unluckier for Ella because I like her as a player and I think the future is very bright for her. Injuries are a part of the game and that's why you want to have depth in the squad, we have that in the fullback position, so I'm not stressed that she cannot play but I I'm sad that she cannot play.”

Maite Oroz

Robert was then posed with the question, ‘how important is it to have Maite back?’

Robert: “Maite is on another level, she's so good on the ball. She's not the biggest one, but she can win duels and she can also play those passes that you speak about when you are going to score goals. She can play to that player who actually is in the right spot and has the capacity to find that that pass, she can execute it as well. She is an important player and when we lost her for those weeks, so many games, it affects us because she was a big signing for us. I'm very happy to have her back and now we're going to give her the right minutes, so she doesn't get injured again. We need to make sure we protect her as well, but she's been training so well for the last two weeks and she looks so sharp, she is going to be a big benefit for us now.”

On Everton’s form

The focus was turned back to the Toffees and, after picking up their first win in the WSL this season last time out, Robert was asked about their campaign so far…

Robert: “They had some tough injuries in the beginning, big injuries, they had it last season as well. They have had some quite good games, but they didn't really get the win and then some tougher games. They had a good win against Liverpool, so they come into this game with a win from the league. Brian is a good coach, they have some really good players in that squad and it's not like they are a bottom team, they actually are a team that can compete with us and be around the table where we are. We need to be really sharp and make sure we show them that we are ready to win this game. It's going to be interesting because it's also an important game to get the points.”

Watch the full press conference here