Spurs vs City (WSL) | Robert’s preview: “We learnt a lot from the last game”
Sat 27 January 2024, 10:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Robert Vilahamn is looking forward to facing one of the league’s in-form team on Sunday afternoon (2pm KO) as we welcome Manchester City to Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road.
It was certainly a learning experience when we travel to Joie Stadium earlier in the season, where Gareth Taylor’s side ended our eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions at the time, with a comprehensive victory under the lights in Manchester.
However, just a few weeks later, we picked up a memorable victory against Arsenal – our first-ever win over the Gunners – to show the progress within the squad.
With City heading into this game with five wins on the bounce in the Barclays Women’s Super League, closing the gap on league leaders Chelsea – just three points separating the two sides - it’s the perfect opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best in the league once again.
“For me, the result on Sunday is of course important, but it’s also how we can compete against them and how we can play our style against them. So, whether we win or lose on Sunday, I want to feel and see bravery,” Robert said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“Of course, I want to win, but the main thing is how we can improve our way of playing against top teams as we want to be one of them and challenge those places higher up in the table.
We need to defend better and make sure to keep the ball better, but this is all part of the journey we are creating.
“We learnt a lot from the last game, we need to be very sharp when we play against a top team. We need to defend better and make sure to keep the ball better, but this is all part of the journey we are creating. Since then, we have welcomed new players and I think we have taken steps forward,” he added.
In our last game in the WSL, which was a seven-goal thriller against West Ham United, it showcased once again the attacking style of play that Robert has brought into the Club and the boss has been pleased with how players and staff have taken it on board.
“I think when you believe in something very much and you sort of know it’s going to work, but no one else knows, it’s kind of nice to show it actually works. But it also makes me proud to see the players enjoy it so much, they really want to do this, they really want to play this style of football.
“We have taken steps and I’m just enjoying seeing the environment around me taking it on, and all the staff members making sure they give the players the freedom to do that.
“It's also very interesting because we see the potential now, but we have only worked together for five months and we already look good together, so imagine one more year with this way that we play.
“We are doing good stuff here, the Club are doing good stuff from all the way up to the board and down to use, everybody is on it and we are going to do it together. But, with building an identity, you need to build the right stuff in that and that is attacking football, so that’s what we are doing now.”
