The THFC Women's Team Thread

[DelboySpurs]

We cant even score a penalty ... why wasnt Summanen taking it ??????
Boy can we get any worse

 

[DelboySpurs]

Reality is, Arsenal's bench players would walk into our starting 11. It's the way it has always been.

Then RS and Levy needs to change this for the sake of the brand and not keep trying to make a team out of cheep cheep cast offs. Losing like this to this mob HURTS no matter who plays them. The only positive is 3-0 as I was expecting at least 5.
13 points and 25 goals behind 4th - and we want to challenge for CL football ! - no chance we will never be a top 4 side with some of these players staying next season, Ben wont agree but we need to move on at least another 6 and get top drawer players in.

 

[Delboy75]

Imo there’s a lot more hype around the womens game than the reality of the actual interest. When you see these sold out attendances but they fail to mention most of the tickets were free. Not having a dig, it’s not for me but each to their own and all that. But I’m interested how people perceive an attendance of 13k for last night. Not sure what Arsenal were charging I’d guess £10/15. Part of me thinks 13k midweek isn’t bad, I think you get a lot of school kids usually who couldn’t go midweek. On the other hand it was a NLD and part of a title race. I think in reality like I originally said, actual interest at this point is nowhere near the hype we hear. Be interesting how many we pull this weekend I’d guess 25k + (stadium factor still )

 

[DelboySpurs]

Imo there’s a lot more hype around the womens game than the reality of the actual interest. When you see these sold out attendances but they fail to mention most of the tickets were free. Not having a dig, it’s not for me but each to their own and all that. But I’m interested how people perceive an attendance of 13k for last night. Not sure what Arsenal were charging I’d guess £10/15. Part of me thinks 13k midweek isn’t bad, I think you get a lot of school kids usually who couldn’t go midweek. On the other hand it was a NLD and part of a title race. I think in reality like I originally said, actual interest at this point is nowhere near the hype we hear. Be interesting how many we pull this weekend I’d guess 25k + (stadium factor still )

They were also giving away free Scum scarves - they must cost about a tenner each ... a shame our name was on the reverse side that's like a double loss.

 

[mark87]

Imo there’s a lot more hype around the womens game than the reality of the actual interest. When you see these sold out attendances but they fail to mention most of the tickets were free. Not having a dig, it’s not for me but each to their own and all that. But I’m interested how people perceive an attendance of 13k for last night. Not sure what Arsenal were charging I’d guess £10/15. Part of me thinks 13k midweek isn’t bad, I think you get a lot of school kids usually who couldn’t go midweek. On the other hand it was a NLD and part of a title race. I think in reality like I originally said, actual interest at this point is nowhere near the hype we hear. Be interesting how many we pull this weekend I’d guess 25k + (stadium factor still )

They reported 13k did they? So in theory it could've been 2k I guess though as it's them.

 

[spoddams]

Random thoughts about last night... Jess Naz gave the ball away a bit too much, she looked tired - though the tackles she got to and did were great - more of that would be good. I want Maeva Clemaron to stick up for me every time anything goes wrong, she was FIERCE - and right too. Angela Addison's penalty was disappointing, I've cursed her. I used to believe that every time she came on as a sub we'd score (because that always happened) but since I've said that it hasn't happened so I take full responsibility for cursing things (I went to games when we had the curse of Gareth curse so I'm aware how fragile these things can be, but that they can change). We had our moments, but then couldn't make the most of those moments due to our lack of strength... as usual.

I was pleased we only lost by 3-0, and get more from the 1-1 at The Hive earlier in the season. We need stronger players in so many areas that I'm sure will be improved - we've improved so will want to build on that. There were several times last night that Arsenal had the space to pass to each other and we were nowhere - but I still feel like we're doing better than last season, and that's better than being the same (or worse). My glass is half full today, and I'm hoping for a win on Sunday.

Just printed my tickets, who else is going? I get the feeling that only stands 101 to 108 have tickets on sale this time around so it won't be as full as everyone thinks. But it will be FUN! (we're in block 102)

 

[wizgell]

Just driven into the office (I work just off of White Hart Lane) and I've noticed all of the road signs for 'Next Event' are for the NLD on the 12th. Does anyone know if Women's games at the stadium come under match day parking restrictions?

 

[DelboySpurs]

They reported 13k did they? So in theory it could've been 2k I guess though as it's them.

have to say it didnt look that many - even when they were doing the pre game interviews it was very much empty and when the game started it appears only one side was being used .. so 2k could well be nearer the mark as they were well spread out (many spoddams can comment as she was there) ... they probably dont have enough free scarves than that anyhow. Just a shame we didnt turn up and this game may well blow our chances on Sunday as even our good players look torn and knackered.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Random thoughts about last night... Jess Naz gave the ball away a bit too much, she looked tired - though the tackles she got to and did were great - more of that would be good. I want Maeva Clemaron to stick up for me every time anything goes wrong, she was FIERCE - and right too. Angela Addison's penalty was disappointing, I've cursed her. I used to believe that every time she came on as a sub we'd score (because that always happened) but since I've said that it hasn't happened so I take full responsibility for cursing things (I went to games when we had the curse of Gareth curse so I'm aware how fragile these things can be, but that they can change). We had our moments, but then couldn't make the most of those moments due to our lack of strength... as usual.

I was pleased we only lost by 3-0, and get more from the 1-1 at The Hive earlier in the season. We need stronger players in so many areas that I'm sure will be improved - we've improved so will want to build on that. There were several times last night that Arsenal had the space to pass to each other and we were nowhere - but I still feel like we're doing better than last season, and that's better than being the same (or worse). My glass is half full today, and I'm hoping for a win on Sunday.

Just printed my tickets, who else is going? I get the feeling that only stands 101 to 108 have tickets on sale this time around so it won't be as full as everyone thinks. But it will be FUN! (we're in block 102)

I thought Naz and Ayanne were as usual - sorry but they bring nothing everytime they play. Clem was awesome and have to admit Greeny surprised me with her gritty play. Shelina and Molly were overrun as expected and Korps did her best but we were so open esp 2nd half when we didnt even press nor close them down ... they had 20 shots to our 6 and only 2 on target but I do not remember any shots on target unless they include the penalty (which was not on target! - she missed). Summanen should have taken it in hindsight.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Just driven into the office (I work just off of White Hart Lane) and I've noticed all of the road signs for 'Next Event' are for the NLD on the 12th. Does anyone know if Women's games at the stadium come under match day parking restrictions?

call them - maybe they have car park spaces in the underground car park (or) sainsbury's next door

 

[garyhopkins]

I thought Naz and Ayanne were as usual - sorry but they bring nothing everytime they play. Clem was awesome and have to admit Greeny surprised me with her gritty play. Shelina and Molly were overrun as expected and Korps did her best but we were so open esp 2nd half when we didnt even press nor close them down ... they had 20 shots to our 6 and only 2 on target but I do not remember any shots on target unless they include the penalty (which was not on target! - she missed). Summanen should have taken it in hindsight.

Naz and Ayanne were ok, but nowhere near the quality of the Arsenal forwards nor their physicality, strength or fitness. Naz often strolled around which was disappointing as I thought she'd have more energy. Not surprised both were taken off. They are ok against the other 7 teams below us in the league.

It was not a surprise that Mead and Foord strike a ball far better than any of our players. We're 17 years behind professionally and it's gonna take awhile to catch up.

As for our shots, Simon had one cleared off the line. I think Simon was being saved for Sunday and that's probably why Wlliams came off so that Summanen could play up front!

 

[DelboySpurs]

I get what u say Gary but then why not use Tang who is so fresh (hardly ever gets a game) .. put Summanen back into midfield and move Green into left wing role and get Harrop back into position (this may well of stopped the 2nd and 3rd goals) ... Harrop never got back to any of their attacks and was at fault for their 2nd by staying behind their player and not trying to get infront. First basic rule of defending get inbetween the ball and the attacker. I think her days are numbered.
As for their first and 3rd - we just didnt close them down early enough and left so much space for them to pass into. We pressed hard in the first and nothing in the 2nd and that was our downfall bar the goals of coarse.
I bet our OPTA stats for passing was really poor as well ... seemed this was an occassion to big for our team even with all the hype. We were not in this game after 3 minutes.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Just got an email from the club about the game on Sunday, only £13 for 2 adults and 2 kids is really great pricing. Shame I can't make it otherwise I would have taken my 2 girls they really enjoyed the season opener against Birmingham.

Looks like there are only going to be 3 blocks open so it won't be a big crowd maybe a couple of thousand. I guess we have a long way to go to catch up to Newcastle to match their attendance.

There has been some record breaking attendances across europe this season in some of the womens CL games. And new US franchise Angel City had a strong sell out of 25000 for their first game recently. The demand just isn't there for the womens game in this country yet, but it is improving slowly.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

Just driven into the office (I work just off of White Hart Lane) and I've noticed all of the road signs for 'Next Event' are for the NLD on the 12th. Does anyone know if Women's games at the stadium come under match day parking restrictions?

Normally parking restrictions do not apply for small attendances at the stadium and I think only the west stand lower is open for the women's game but best to email the club and make sure.

 

[garyhopkins]

I get what u say Gary but then why not use Tang who is so fresh (hardly ever gets a game) .. put Summanen back into midfield and move Green into left wing role and get Harrop back into position (this may well of stopped the 2nd and 3rd goals) ... Harrop never got back to any of their attacks and was at fault for their 2nd by staying behind their player and not trying to get infront. First basic rule of defending get inbetween the ball and the attacker. I think her days are numbered.
As for their first and 3rd - we just didnt close them down early enough and left so much space for them to pass into. We pressed hard in the first and nothing in the 2nd and that was our downfall bar the goals of coarse.
I bet our OPTA stats for passing was really poor as well ... seemed this was an occassion to big for our team even with all the hype. We were not in this game after 3 minutes.

I definitely would have brought Tang on and kept Summanen in the middle, but RS obviously doesn't fancy her. Tang's size doesn't help, however, I do feel that she should have had more opportunities over the season.

It was nice to see Lane get a go. She got into an excellent position on the edge of the box but Clemarron didn't pass to her. That was the only time our attack had me excited! You can see that Ayanne and Naz fit in the team more cohesively but with the season ending RS needs to try a few of the others. However, playing Summanen up front did seem a little counter intuitive.

 

[DelboySpurs]

Lets face it - had this been the beginning of the season 2 points out of a run of 7 games would constitute a sacking of the Manager would it not !

5 games in 2 weeks can happen to any team and we should have has a squad of 25 players not 21 - then to get 3 injuries
so a squad of 18 ... just aint good enough. Not doing enough in January has been proven a poor decision.

 

[DelboySpurs]

I accept what you say Gary about Arsenal building over the years but Manure created a club 4 years ago from scratch and still manage to get a team together that claimed 4th in the WSL - why because that's what they want for their brand - a winning team.

To me, the ENIC target for RS was always - Beat 20 points and 8th place - nothing more and stay in the WSL for another season.

Next season will be much much much harder if the target is the same - beat 5th and 29 or 30 or 32 (if we win on Sunday) - won't happen with the squad we have, why? because it is clear to see - we cannot score goals when we get the chance, not with the current players we have up front, and why we need to move all on for better.

Whilst I don't like it I know Ben is right in what he says about squad overhaul and he only expects maybe 2-3 changes but will that be enough?
We need to max the squad to 25 (8 of which have to be homegrown) not run a team with 18. As Gary rightly says the Scum bench would be first-teamers for us!
We have to build again around our 6-7 best core players

 

[spoddams]

have to say it didnt look that many - even when they were doing the pre game interviews it was very much empty and when the game started it appears only one side was being used .. so 2k could well be nearer the mark as they were well spread out (many spoddams can comment as she was there) ... they probably dont have enough free scarves than that anyhow. Just a shame we didnt turn up and this game may well blow our chances on Sunday as even our good players look torn and knackered.

I didn't get to the game in the end - school night, daughter only 12 and we're all shattered so sent the tickets back. A workmate went, (she's a Gooner), said the stadium was quite empty, only one section open like you said.

The scarves had Arsenal on one side and (I think?) a Barclaycard logo on the other - she grabbed a load of scarves for her family afterwards as there were loads of empty seats around them.

Btw, Man Utd built a squad on loads of money after saying (along the lines of) "why would we need a women's team" and closing it down several years beforehand - you only have to look at their first season in WSL2, they walked it as they bought the players in from scratch (and from memory it took a while for them to get going before they dominated the league). Fortunately it was the same season we gained promotion, but I like to think we did it with a squad we'd always had rather than bought in. But y'know.... I was glad they had to start in WSL2 (now the Championship)

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

See thay have opened some more blocks for Sunday , 109, 110 & 111 , would advise anyone going to get there at least 20 minutes before kick off. For the U23 game last Monday west lower was open and probably about half full but they only had a few scanners working at entrance 6 , apparently there were many late arrivals and it caused a queue to get in with many missing kick off.
Be content to watch on FA player myself , have watched the women and find it a very hard watch , the skill levels of some of the players are light years behind some other women's teams.

 

[DelboySpurs]

I didn't get to the game in the end - school night, daughter only 12 and we're all shattered so sent the tickets back. A workmate went, (she's a Gooner), said the stadium was quite empty, only one section open like you said.

The scarves had Arsenal on one side and (I think?) a Barclaycard logo on the other - she grabbed a load of scarves for her family afterwards as there were loads of empty seats around them.

Btw, Man Utd built a squad on loads of money after saying (along the lines of) "why would we need a women's team" and closing it down several years beforehand - you only have to look at their first season in WSL2, they walked it as they bought the players in from scratch (and from memory it took a while for them to get going before they dominated the league). Fortunately it was the same season we gained promotion, but I like to think we did it with a squad we'd always had rather than bought in. But y'know.... I was glad they had to start in WSL2 (now the Championship)

Yet that's right spoddams ( we got the promotion the right way but they bought first place that I get) and then the league changed to 1 going up only after that... we were lucky
Scarves .. I saw some in the crowd that had both halves so I guess they were bought from the stallholders or shop outside. So what do you think about Sunday r u going?

I think it will be a banana skin game that we can easily lose if being honest. They (Leicester) have not had so many hard matches over the last 2 weeks and already know they have survived the drop so they will think it is their FA Cup final and come to make a point. We just cannot score goals