WSL: Martin Ho demands Tottenham improvement ahead of Crystal Palace clash | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Martin Ho has called for an improved performance from his side as they prepare to face newly promoted Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Spurs have made an unbeaten start to the new Women’s Super League season, collecting four points from their opening two matches following a 3-1 victory over West Ham and a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Liverpool.

However, Ho believes there is plenty of room for improvement after last weekend’s performance on Merseyside.

Tottenham were forced to withstand periods of Liverpool pressure and, despite taking the lead through a deflected Signe Gaupset cross, were pegged back in the second half. Goalkeeper Lize Kop was also required to make several important saves as Spurs left St Helens Stadium with a point.

Reflecting on the performance ahead of Sunday’s London derby, Ho admitted Tottenham struggled to establish the rhythm he wanted and stressed that his side would need to raise their level against Palace.

“We have to be much better against Palace this weekend,” Ho told the media.

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The demand for improvement is perhaps indicative of the standards Ho is attempting to establish in his second season at the club. Tottenham remain unbeaten and have already collected a point from a fixture they lost last season, but the Spurs boss remains more concerned with the quality of his team’s performances than the early league table.

Crystal Palace present another difficult test

Crystal Palace may have only returned to the WSL this season, but Ho is taking little for granted.

Palace have already demonstrated their ability to frustrate established opposition, most notably in their goalless draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Their defensive organisation has particularly caught the Tottenham manager’s attention.

Ho highlighted Palace’s resilience and structure without the ball, alongside the individual quality they possess in attacking areas, as potential problems for Spurs.

It also fed into a wider point about what he believes could be an exceptionally competitive WSL season.

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“There’s never a game I go in expecting to win. Every game is now competitive,” Ho explained.

The Spurs boss described the current campaign as potentially ‘one of the most, if not the most competitive’ WSL seasons for some time, pointing towards increased investment across the division, the calibre of players being recruited and the continued development of squads throughout the league.

For Tottenham, that means resisting the temptation to read too much into individual results.

Ho stressed the importance of remaining grounded, while highlighting the ‘passion, desire and fight’ within his squad. Qualities he believes can sometimes prove more decisive than individual quality.

Maintaining identity while becoming less predictable

One of the more intriguing elements of Ho’s press conference centred on Tottenham’s tactical evolution.

The Spurs boss insisted the team would maintain its fundamental identity both in and out of possession. But he explained that adaptability will become increasingly important.

That could mean changes to where Tottenham defend, which spaces they protect and where they attempt to set pressing traps depending on the opposition.

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Their summer recruitment has also given Ho greater flexibility in possession. Spurs added several different profiles to the squad during the transfer window. Ho believes those differences can allow his team to pose different problems.

“No player is exactly the same in terms of what they give you,” he said.

That depth could become increasingly important as Tottenham’s schedule intensifies. With the Subway Women’s League Cup adding another competition to their calendar.

Alice Sombath available to face Palace

Ho also delivered positive team news ahead of Sunday’s encounter, confirming that summer signing Alice Sombath is available for selection.

The France international joined Tottenham from OL Lyonnes during the summer but is yet to make her competitive debut for the club. Spurs have carefully managed her workload, but after several strong weeks of training, the defender is now ready to be considered.

There was also encouraging news regarding Cathinka Tandberg, who was forced off against Liverpool with a dead leg. The Norwegian returned to training on Wednesday and is expected to be available if she comes through the remainder of the week without further problems.

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Jess Naz and Maite Oroz remain unavailable as they continue their rehabilitation from ACL injuries. Meanwhile, Clare Hunt is also still recovering from injury.

When asked about Victoria Pelova, Ho said: “Victoria is an amazing player to have on the team. She can play across different positions in the midfield and play in 10 if needed. She has been a great signing and there is a lot more to come from her.”

Tottenham now head across London looking to turn a promising unbeaten start into further progress. Palace’s opening performances suggest Sunday will offer another examination of Ho’s evolving side, and, for the Spurs head coach, another opportunity to measure his team against the standards he continues to raise.

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