‘We are going to step forward in leaps and bounds’ – Spurs defender Hunt previews new WSL season | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur defender Clare Hunt believes that the team will show lots of progression in the Barclays Women’s Super League this season.

The Lilywhites endured a challenging 2024/2025 campaign. They ended the season one place above the relegation zone while head coach Robert Vilahamn was dismissed over the summer.

When speaking to WSL Full-Time, Spurs defender Hunt did not want to reflect on last season’s woes too much. She says that the team can learn a lot going into the 2025/2026 campaign under new management.

“It didn’t end up gelling the way that we wanted it to or intended it to and we’ve just got to take some learnings from last year,” Hunt said. “We’ve got a new coach come in who has implemented some great information and strategies going forward.

“We are all excited for this year, we’ve had some great hit-outs in pre-season, so I think there’s more to see from Tottenham Hotspur.”

Spurs have appointed Martin Ho as their new head coach. The 35-year-old is one of the brightest young coaches in the game. Hunt says that Ho will develop the squad very quickly with his footballing principles.

She said “Martin is really direct and he places a lot of emphasis on technical and tactical proficiencies. That in itself will immediately improve players because of that expectation.

“I’d expect Spurs to be aggressive, wanting to be on the ball and we are going to play and compete.”

Spurs conceded 44 league goals last season, an average of two goals per game. Hunt believes that Spurs have to do more collectively to reduce the goals against tally, something that new head coach Ho will also help improve.

She said “A greater emphasis has to be placed upon defending as a whole unit and as a whole team. That starts from front-to-back. That’s got to come from leadership on the field and driving the team in certain circumstances to prevent goals being let in.

“For any team, you go out with the intention of keeping a clean sheet. It’s just about adjusting your principles or style to suit beating other teams game-by-game. With Martin’s guidance and the players that we have here, I think we can do that.”

Going on to discuss targets, Hunt didn’t want to give much away, however, she expects Spurs to show huge signs of improvement in 2025/2026.

She said “I feel like the team want to keep specific targets to themselves but I also feel like we can’t necessarily do any worse than last year.

“It’s not just about improvement but I feel as though we are going to step forward in leaps and bounds from last year. I think that’s the expectation and everyone is onboard with that.

“In terms of specific goals, they are for the team to know and to work towards.”

Tottenham Hotspur kick-off the new Barclays Women’s Super League season with a home fixture against West Ham United on Sunday 7 September 2025. Season tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.