Inside the "brave" Spurs revolution - just not the one you've been hearing about
Less than 90 seconds into the cinch YouTube video, new Tottenham Women's manager Robert Vilahamn motions for Ange Postecoglou walk through the open door of Spurs’ Women’s training facility only for the Australian to insist to his opposite number 'no, please, Robert, you first.'
The sheer unadulterated good manners on a sunny September morning and the subsequent exchange is viscerally breathtaking, a cinematic masterpiece featuring near-identical hand gestures and the wearing of what looks to be the same innocuous navy t-shirt of the clubs' newest hotseat occupiers.
Altogether, the effect is an overwhelming sensation of endearing dad power. A mutual politeness overload not in the unctuous contrived social media way but rather in the authentic just-like-you way.
A revolution has taken over at Tottenham Hotspur this season. Postecoglou's so-dubbed 'Ange-ball' and its corresponding renaissance has incited a dangerous fever of optimism in a fanbase accustomed to pain and self-inflicted suffering. Everyone is singing, smiles abound, Robbie Williams is on replay and the football is good.
This North London revolution, importantly, is not exclusive to that of the men’s senior team. While the similarities between Postecoglou and Vilahamn could end at the aesthetic level and be pleasing enough, the two men's shared values on the pitch have made Tottenham a club whose ceiling on all fronts this season is difficult to estimate.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Ahead of Sunday’s Women’s Super League opener, Vilahamn spoke at length of the philosophy of play and overall vision he shares with Postecoglou for the club’s future.
“When they [Tottenham] recruited me, there was the same recruitment staff recruiting Ange,” Vilahamn said. “So they talk about how Tottenham want to play, they look for those coaches. Me and Ange are probably in quite a similar way. We lead in a certain way which is also quite similar.
"I think we try to do the same stuff with how to play, not the same formation all the time but trying to be brave enough to play good, offensive football. It’s going to be that identity where you see ‘now it’s Tottenham playing football.’”
The seeds of that identity were on display in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Chelsea. An expectant thrashing away to the perennial behemoths played out in stark contrast to prior iterations of a usual one-sided London derby.
Martha Thomas sees a golden chance denied by a goal-line clearance from Millie Bright (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Vilahamn’s Spurs went toe-to-toe with the hosts for much of the contest, coming closest to opening the scoring in the opening exchanges with the ample space and time afforded them. Chelsea, as is their want, failed to really shift out of second gear until after the interval, eventually relishing a spell of dominance that saw Vilahamn’s side pushed deep into a defensive shape and eventually end with Lauren James' supplying the decisive goal.
Even so, Spurs frustrated Emma Hayes’ side and eventually dragged the game back into a teetering balance 10 minutes from time as Martha Thomas poked home Zecira Musovic’s spilled save after doggedly refusing to bow to Chelsea's rhythm. In the end, Spurs registered 11 shots at goal to Chelsea’s 12, the most shots on the reigning champions’ goal in a WSL game in a decade, a stat Vilahamn did not shy away from boasting in his post-match assessment.
Compared to last season, this version of Spurs was nearly unidentifiable: composed on the ball, confident and persistent in playing out from the back, fuelled by a sharp and more direct style. There was also a discernible pluck, a characteristic, along with consistent source of creativity, largely for want last season until the arrival of Bethany England in January.
Instead, Sunday saw Drew Spence drop deep to instigate attack, Celin Bizet stir ample trouble on the wing and Martha Thomas’ constant movement up top open gaps to exploit.
That England beheld Sunday’s contest from the bench was both a source of optimism and frustration. The blueprint for the 28-year-old’s return from shoulder surgery is there and encouraging. But her absence was felt in the front line where the final third begged for a crisper conviction. Gilt-edged chances in the first-half were scuppered and ultimately punished.
Martha Thomas got on the scoresheet in Beth England's absence (Joe Toth/Tottenham Hotspur FC/REX/Shutterstock)Nevertheless, this was an undeniably new-look Spurs, one that has comfortably shaken off its heliocentric model from last season and is showing signs of a team capable of not being dictated by their opposition’s game plan. Sound familiar?
Hakim Ziyech brutally denied deadline day transfer as PSG furious at Chelsea
“In the long run, you’re going to see a Tottenham that dictate games, press high, want to lean forward and try to score a lot of goals,” Vilahamn said. “The men’s team are already winning games. Hopefully we can have a good start, make some good results, but I also need to have respect against the top teams in the league.”
He added: “We still have a long way to go because last season was not the best and the players were not in the best shape. We shouldn't expect Tottenham to win the league this year, we need to make sure we show the supporters, the board members and everyone that we play better football.”
Sunday’s match suggests Tottenham are on the right track. While Robbie Williams has yet to rewrite one of his classics to extol the Swedish manager, the possibility shouldn't be ruled out.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
