The THFC Women's Team Thread

[garyhopkins]

Oh dear, same old, same old.

Tang got her 10 minutes as predicted. Simon should have stayed on. She wasn't knackered like Percival and Williams. The first two subs brought nothing as we continued in the 4-6-0 vein.

Skinner has built a solid defensive team, but attacking wise they are hopeless; not helped, of course by Skinner picking her favorite players over a team that might actually threaten.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Why can we see it then Gary and RS can't (she always picks the cr*p ones) .... lets hope the lads fair better next

We will hear the same ol excuses in the interview I can hear it now ... we have come so far and the we will learn from this and that ... how about learning 3 months ago and got 2 proper Strikers in then!

 

[DelboySpurs]

Thanks to the men to carve out a 5-1 much needed win to boost our chances of CL hoping that the scum drop points soon - I think the 12 points in hand we dropped weeks ago will still come back and bite us where it hurts though
As for the ladies we are for sure not a top 4 side yet - there are for sure some players like Bartrip Zadorsky Clemaron Summanen and probably Korpella and Graham who we should build a new team around that could target top 4 and CL in the future .. but as for all the others ... yes all the others - we need much better. Players like Ayanne Ubogagu Naz Percival Addison Neville Bartrip Green Williams Spencer all need to be moved on (Tang will probably go back to China after he loan anyhow) and maybe we keep Ale Cho Schnaderbeck (if she wants to stay and take Harrop's place)
This performance today against a side we shoul beat shows we have players who really cannot play football at this level - many just didnt even look fit so what have they been doing over the past 4 weeks (bar catching covid)
Creativity - zero - Panic 100%
51% possession over 94mins ... 5 shots at goal with 3 on target ! really - can only remember one from Percival
6 corners resulting in nothing (may as well give them goalkicks for what they are worth to our game.
and 15 fouls against their 13 (shows it was a physical game)
they had 3 shots at goal with only 1 on target and scoring 1 ... that says it all
We just aint good enough ... RS needs to be a bit more managerial and MAD - not so mummy friendly
Guess you get the picture I am so so disappointed as I expected much better in a game they should win but you cant win if you cant create and score a goal !!!! we just cant - no matter how much practise this team does.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

Really best not to even contemplate CL football for Spurs Women at the moment only get embarrassed with the current squad.

 

[Ben1]

Thanks to the men to carve out a 5-1 much needed win to boost our chances of CL hoping that the scum drop points soon - I think the 12 points in hand we dropped weeks ago will still come back and bite us where it hurts though
As for the ladies we are for sure not a top 4 side yet - there are for sure some players like Bartrip Zadorsky Clemaron Summanen and probably Korpella and Graham who we should build a new team around that could target top 4 and CL in the future .. but as for all the others ... yes all the others - we need much better. Players like Ayanne Ubogagu Naz Percival Addison Neville Bartrip Green Williams Spencer all need to be moved on (Tang will probably go back to China after he loan anyhow) and maybe we keep Ale Cho Schnaderbeck (if she wants to stay and take Harrop's place)
This performance today against a side we shoul beat shows we have players who really cannot play football at this level - many just didnt even look fit so what have they been doing over the past 4 weeks (bar catching covid)
Creativity - zero - Panic 100%
51% possession over 94mins ... 5 shots at goal with 3 on target ! really - can only remember one from Percival
6 corners resulting in nothing (may as well give them goalkicks for what they are worth to our game.
and 15 fouls against their 13 (shows it was a physical game)
they had 3 shots at goal with only 1 on target and scoring 1 ... that says it all
We just aint good enough ... RS needs to be a bit more managerial and MAD - not so mummy friendly
Guess you get the picture I am so so disappointed as I expected much better in a game they should win but you cant win if you cant create and score a goal !!!! we just cant - no matter how much practise this team does.

Need to be a tad realistic though. If Neville, the player that is probably going to win player of season again, is on your out list, then you must be fully looking to rip apart a squad that will get its highest points total, wins number and league position ever. That’s not likely and will probably be detrimental. The defensive unit and group spirit has got us this far, don’t chuck it away. Everton did that for a splash at bigger ‘names’, look where they are!

No doubt there’s plenty of progress to be made and the squad needs to keep evolving, but workable steps.

 

[spoddams]

It was a strange atmosphere yesterday, it took a while for the supporters to get going. There were a small group of Villa supporters who were LOUD. We all seemed quite subdued - and the Tottenham staff who were there with the mascots seemed more interested in playing football with the girls while the game was going on rather than getting them to yell support for the team.

(I'm too shy to start it but happy to join in)

There are probably too many people like me and we're all spaced too far apart!!

Agreed on the lack of goalscorers, the only thing I could think is maybe those on the bench were the ones who had covid? Not making excuses, but it didn't feel like our strongest team - though stats had us even and we had way more chances in front of the goal.

Once Jill Scott came on that was it really. Though one thing which troubles me - when Scott went down, was there any contact? I was looking elsewhere when there might have been but looked at Scott, saw her run, then fall with nobody touching her, clutching her thigh. I felt all sympathetic, "aww, that's a shame, she's only just come on and could be injured already" until she got up and started walking again once Clemaron was booked... like I said, I might have missed it, but it felt like next to nothing happened.

I like Rachel Williams - it feels like she's trying to get up front, even though like yesterday nothing came of it. She doesn't give up. I would like to see Korpela back in goal though - and I got really annoyed at Villa's timewasting at the end, though realistically those potential extra seconds wouldn't have counted for much, I suspect.

I feel like we're so close, but not quite there. But then five years ago look where we were - so I'm not despairing yet. I'd rather have a team that works than buy all the names and watch it crumble.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Glad to see your point of view Spoddams as you were their seeing it live and interesting about the Spurs staff.
During the game there was a sea of light blue keeping warm - no effort in geeing up the players - seems only RS does this but she aint no Conte thats for sure and too much like a mum on the sidelines rather than having a go.

I saw it on FA Player and one only gets a one sided view (at least there is the odd replay now, they didnt use to do this a few weeks ago) ... the WSL badly needs VAR as some decisions are just not right both from the line and from the referee himself (very poor) - but we all blame referees. This team need to play the game and learn game play and creativity. It is seriosly lacking.

They look unfit big time and were clearly at arrays throughout the first half. Awful. Did they not try get match practice by playing games !!!! during the lay off weeks. Now another break for Intl's before we are due 3 major pastings.

We have 21 players so there were 11 on the pitch and 6 on the bench - that is 17 so where are the other 4 ??
Graham and Ubogagu injured I guess so what about the other 2 ... Schnaderbach / Cho we needed them but the biggest problem is not getting Strikers in January. Ayanne Addison Naz Ubogagu Percival and I would now go as far and say Tang and Simon are not strikers - they are support players that have zero creativity in them. They all panic when they have free space infront of them unlike the players in top 4 who know how to play with the ball.

Williams tries her best but she is not clinical enough and needs to go work with Harry on how to take on defenders and GK's and think when she has the ball. I fear this team will now lose all they have built this season but then maybe it was luck that got us and kept us there - certainly not skill.

They will for sure not win the Scum and 2 x Chelski games that a given .. but now I doubt they will even feature in the Everton away game with this type of performance especially after 4 losses on the bike and then that leaves the last game of the season at WHL.
Maybe too big an occasion for the ladies as I fear they will lose that as well as it is a game they are expected to win in front of a massive crowd - the last time they met we lost 3-1 as again we could'nt score and paste a team we should beat easily like we should have done against Villa and should do against Everton.

Thats is why a massive clearout is needed and more investment in much better players to keep the name of Spurs competitive otherwise the likes of Liverpool coming back up will take our place in the future. Being in the WSL means something now which is great for the women's game and we need to be part of it and competing at the top not in mediocre land. We have been lucky thus far and out stats prove we are not competing at the sharp end. As Gary said a few posts back - we have the defense at WSL level and probably beginning to get a harder middle with Clemaron and Summanen but the wings and front is really poor and that is where you win games. Sorry for the rant buy yesterday's game was a massive backward step MASSIVE.

If RS cannot do this with the help of the numerous sky blue line of warm coats (that do nothing at the game) then maybe we need a better manager and coaching team ... now thats put the cat amonst the pigeons.

 

[Ben1]

Glad to see your point of view Spoddams as you were their seeing it live and interesting about the Spurs staff.
During the game there was a sea of light blue keeping warm - no effort in geeing up the players - seems only RS does this but she aint no Conte thats for sure and too much like a mum on the sidelines rather than having a go.

I saw it on FA Player and one only gets a one sided view (at least there is the odd replay now, they didnt use to do this a few weeks ago) ... the WSL badly needs VAR as some decisions are just not right both from the line and from the referee himself (very poor) - but we all blame referees. This team need to play the game and learn game play and creativity. It is seriosly lacking.

They look unfit big time and were clearly at arrays throughout the first half. Awful. Did they not try get match practice by playing games !!!! during the lay off weeks. Now another break for Intl's before we are due 3 major pastings.

We have 21 players so there were 11 on the pitch and 6 on the bench - that is 17 so where are the other 4 ??
Graham and Ubogagu injured I guess so what about the other 2 ... Schnaderbach / Cho we needed them but the biggest problem is not getting Strikers in January. Ayanne Addison Naz Ubogagu Percival and I would now go as far and say Tang and Simon are not strikers - they are support players that have zero creativity in them. They all panic when they have free space infront of them unlike the players in top 4 who know how to play with the ball.

Williams tries her best but she is not clinical enough and needs to go work with Harry on how to take on defenders and GK's and think when she has the ball. I fear this team will now lose all they have built this season but then maybe it was luck that got us and kept us there - certainly not skill.

They will for sure not win the Scum and 2 x Chelski games that a given .. but now I doubt they will even feature in the Everton away game with this type of performance especially after 4 losses on the bike and then that leaves the last game of the season at WHL.
Maybe too big an occasion for the ladies as I fear they will lose that as well as it is a game they are expected to win in front of a massive crowd - the last time they met we lost 3-1 as again we could'nt score and paste a team we should beat easily like we should have done against Villa and should do against Everton.

Thats is why a massive clearout is needed and more investment in much better players to keep the name of Spurs competitive otherwise the likes of Liverpool coming back up will take our place in the future. Being in the WSL means something now which is great for the women's game and we need to be part of it and competing at the top not in mediocre land. We have been lucky thus far and out stats prove we are not competing at the sharp end. As Gary said a few posts back - we have the defense at WSL level and probably beginning to get a harder middle with Clemaron and Summanen but the wings and front is really poor and that is where you win games. Sorry for the rant buy yesterday's game was a massive backward step MASSIVE.

If RS cannot do this with the help of the numerous sky blue line of warm coats (that do nothing at the game) then maybe we need a better manager and coaching team ... now thats put the cat amonst the pigeons.

'Cat amongst the pigeons is one way to put it' , another is bloody stupid. Absolutely firing above our squad level, achieving results we haven't before...but you want a coaching change crikeyyyyyy

 

[DelboySpurs]

Then do you think this is the way to manage a team who cannot create no matter how much training they do? - she picks the team and she had the say if their employment Ben.

Just listen to her interviews - it is almost identical every week. We will learn this or that - not I got it wrong !

She knew the problem yet we didnt sign a proper Striker who knows how to score goals. I am putting it out there ... is she good enough to get this team to the next level and at least you responded - thanks.

If the players are not at fault who is? There are too many who are clearly not good enough for the WSL - it is plain to see every time they play a game and I have had the balls in naming them.

You mention Neville earlier -hmm did you think she had a good game yesterday in a position she normally covers well whereas Ale is better in this position. Both her and Harrop were constantly found out of position and losing the ball so easily. They would have both been better used as wing attacks and not wing backs. She was poor at best but yes you are right she is likely to stay.

Maybe thats rather unfair to her but she was out of sorts yesterday and yet was not replaced by a better player on the bench.

Most of our players who came in the Summer after the 11 player clearout were castoffs from other teams not players that we have gone out and employed by picking from the ripe fruit teams like Barca Real PSG etc if you get my drift. Only a couple have proved to be better (Bartrip Clemaron Korpella) but it only highlights how poor the others are now the WSL is harder and stronger.

We need to move on at least another 9 and get much better in unless we want to be a bottom half team for the forseeable future - they for sure need to do same if they want to stay in the WSL.

Look at Ubogagu - never stays more than 1 year at any club - wonder why? maybe becos she aint good enough to keep and we go get her as a Striker becos of a Real Madrid shirt label ! .. whoever signed her needs to look at themselve - has to be the worse signing from last year.

 

[garyhopkins]

The team has done really well this season, but they lack goalscorers or even players who can shoot accurately. Skinner has her favorites and plays them constantly without finding a solution to the scoring dilemma. Even her substitutions are predictable; Ayanne first and then Tang with 10 minutes to go.

Having 5 games in 16 days means Skinner will have to rotate a few players. I hope she tries out a few different combinations; lets Tang play up front with Cho, Williams and Simon behind or gives Izzy Lane a go. Maybe continue the experiment with Neville on the right wing and play Ale at the back which looked good for awhile.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Good points Gary

Sorry for the constant rant readers but trying to create debate on this thread and why the posts
Can get quite lonely on here but Gary now and again keeps me company so keep reading and posting Ben and especially spoddams - would always be good to read what you see at gameside.

Ill rest now until the next game

 

[DelboySpurs]

https://mobile.twitter.com/womenstransfer?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

just been looking at the WSL twitter page and it seems Citeh already in the market for 3 extra players from Iberia for next season.
Would be good to see our name banded about in there as an attractive club to come to .. maybe Paratici should start scouting for better player for our WSL side after all he did look after Juve Women as well.

 

[spoddams]

Just popping in (at work), but I finally got to read the programme, where Rehanne said she'd have liked to have chosen some key players but there were still a couple ruled out with covid - hopefully this break will bring us back to a full squad and full fitness (bar the other injuries). I want that team that refused to let go the last time we played Arsenal. I mean, it's rare I come away from a defeat thinking "bloody hell that was good" but last season's was one of those. Plus it's the day after my birthday so they'd better win. No pressure.

I mean, a year ago we were losing ridiculously to them (like, 10-0 sort of things) - I want more of those less-losses. Even better if we win :-D We're taking one of my daughter's friends this time - the only team she's heard of is Crystal Palace, so I'm doing my bit :-D

 

[DelboySpurs]

Good point spoddams but I fear our defense cannot hold out that long to get a 0-0 especially that Schnaderbach will be team tied against the Scum so will not be able to play her but she could against Chelski in those 2 games as we will need her.
I do fear that with the fact we just cannot score goals since some weeks we will cave in and one of those games will be a thrashing as all the hard games and lossess will take its toll. I certainly dont expect any points won - as I say all losses me thinks and this then gives the chance for Brighton and maybe even Wet Spam and/or Reading to overtakke and we have zero games in hand.
Even with the other 2 players back we just do not have the skill upfront and as Gary says RS only seems to play her favourites and not those that are better and does very little from the touchline.
Bring back Ale and Schnaderbach and put Harrop and Neville on wing back roles and drop the likes of Ayanne/Naz... players than also bring nothing to the front line bar run speed but more often lose the ball or fail to pass.
I have mentioned so many times the players that are holding this team back and are just not good enough and we badly miss Graham. Big problem not doing enough in January - we have one of the smallest squads in the WSL due lack of investment although I do see they have at last a new temporary club house now at the THFC training centre but not as glamourous as the men's team.
Ubogagu (injured) imho is short of useless and Cho is too easily brushed off the ball and rarely brings her Intl boots to her WSL game and maybe why Wet Spam was keen to move her on - so there is no one alse in the squad - all others out on loans.
We need another 8 better players from CL Euro sides all creative frontline ones or we will lose our better players like Bartrip and Zadorski who may get poached like Kennedy was and then we will be back to square one all over again.
RS interview tells me we have not learnt from the last 3-4 games as the same problems still appear on the pitch and the same players just cannot perform at this level. Guess she has to say this but hope that in a few weeks we can build all over again.... I really hope so as i would love to see us as a top 3/4 side competing in Euro games.

 

[DelboySpurs]

We should go all out and try get Hagerberg (Norway) and Mediema (Holland) as strikers for next season ... that would be awesome and then try prise Martens (Holland) and Hasen (Norway) as creative wing/midfielders
Well worth a 1 million investment in the team - that would shake up the WSL for us.

 

[littlewilly]

I’ve given up watching them. Absolutely nothing in the final third.

 

[Ben1]

Then do you think this is the way to manage a team who cannot create no matter how much training they do? - she picks the team and she had the say if their employment Ben.

Just listen to her interviews - it is almost identical every week. We will learn this or that - not I got it wrong !

She knew the problem yet we didnt sign a proper Striker who knows how to score goals. I am putting it out there ... is she good enough to get this team to the next level and at least you responded - thanks.

If the players are not at fault who is? There are too many who are clearly not good enough for the WSL - it is plain to see every time they play a game and I have had the balls in naming them.

You mention Neville earlier -hmm did you think she had a good game yesterday in a position she normally covers well whereas Ale is better in this position. Both her and Harrop were constantly found out of position and losing the ball so easily. They would have both been better used as wing attacks and not wing backs. She was poor at best but yes you are right she is likely to stay.

Maybe thats rather unfair to her but she was out of sorts yesterday and yet was not replaced by a better player on the bench.

Most of our players who came in the Summer after the 11 player clearout were castoffs from other teams not players that we have gone out and employed by picking from the ripe fruit teams like Barca Real PSG etc if you get my drift. Only a couple have proved to be better (Bartrip Clemaron Korpella) but it only highlights how poor the others are now the WSL is harder and stronger.

We need to move on at least another 9 and get much better in unless we want to be a bottom half team for the forseeable future - they for sure need to do same if they want to stay in the WSL.

Look at Ubogagu - never stays more than 1 year at any club - wonder why? maybe becos she aint good enough to keep and we go get her as a Striker becos of a Real Madrid shirt label ! .. whoever signed her needs to look at themselve - has to be the worse signing from last year.

The team is performing better than ever. I'm not saying its perfect, but realistically Rehanne is the best level coach for where we currently are (overachieving). That's the key here. We aren't currently one of the biggest clubs and with the investment levels in the women's team, we won't be soon. No, we don't have many players that are at that level, but thats expected. Almost all our players are certainly WSL level, apart from maybe 2/3 when you look at quality across the league.

Obviously the players and coach are at fault for the poor attack and lack of goals. That will need addressing and should have been addressed last summer. Ill give you that. I hope that's the agenda this window, now that the other end is sorted.

I think Ash is one of the best RB's outside of the top tier, although we do need to find a way to get her and Ale on same pitch. Didn't have her best game this weekend. I actually think Harrop is a converted entre half and a more natural left back should be signed moving forward. Solid squad player though.

Our recruitment last summer was realistic for a team that finished 8th/12. We have signed Clemaron, Bartrip who are key players, as well as other talented ones like Simon, Korpela, Ale. There will always be a few whiffs. Funnily enough you seem to rate Viki Schnaderbeck, I wouldn't have her anywhere near the team (lack of pace, strong cbs already) and feel she, along with Tang, will not be signed after loans.

We do need to move on from 5/6 realistically. Mostly an attacking clear out. Ayane, Addison, Ubogagu, Tang, Green, Schnaderbeck, would be my list. Wing forward, centre forward, creative mid and a left back priority incomings.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Great post Ben - thks
RS is better than the last managerial duo thats for sure but lets be fair .. she has always been an assistant or backup Manager in her career thus far and we are her first chance at leading a club. She has FA credentials I give you that but she has of yet not attracted even one top English players to come to us nor a proven STRIKER so there must be something in that... maybe they dont rate her style when she was in the England set up. Even Scott decided not to come to us in Jan and chose Villa !
Interesting about Schnaderbeck though .. why do you feel that .. I thought she looked good on her debut but as usually not been given much chance at all - like Cho last year. As Gary says - she sticks to her favorites and rarely gives anyone else a chance. I thought she had presence at left back - more so than Harrop. Harrop is a fighter but has no pace and just cannot get back to defend if caught too far up and why I would like to see her try staying up and let Viki cover her back line. Saves having to use Ayanne/Ubo/Naz all of which bring nothing. Same for Ash .. she could be a good wing back and have Ale cover her back. We need to try something different just to try get goals - boy are we lacking in that.
I agree with your castoff list (bar Vikki) although I would add Percival (now over the hill) and kamikaze Spencer and try get the Villa keeper in (but they are clearly teacher pets). Not sure Williams has it anymore if being honest.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Shame u say that littleW .. but we all agree about the sharp end .. we are so blunt it is embarrasing .. dont give up maybe we can get better front players in during the Summer via another rebuild .. thats what i am hoping for.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Interesting that Schnaderbeck not even mentioned in the Austria v NI win yesterday ... maybe she is ill or injured? as she was available for our loss to Villa.