Spurs 2-1 Brighton, WSL | Martin Ho’s verdict
Martin Ho was delighted with the way the players adapted after a slow start to push on to win against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday.
Fran Kirby fired the visitors into an early lead at Brisbane Road – something our Head Coach shouldered the responsibility for due to our approach at the start of the game – but we recovered after half-time with two goals in 83 seconds from Signe Gaupset and Olivia Holdt securing a 2-1 victory.
Reflecting on the game afterwards, Martin felt we were worthy winners after shaking off the early setback.
“In the first 10 minutes we started slowly – that’s my responsibility because we changed things from a defensive perspective on how to press the ball and they definitely changed structure in terms of how they usually build up – and we took time to adjust that, but we adjusted it and then I thought for 70 or 80 minutes we were the better team,” he told SPURSPLAY.
“We were the aggressor, we pushed the game in the first half, we just lacked a bit of cutting edge with some decision-making, but in the second half we were more vertical in terms of how we approached the game in terms of playing forward, more through balls, more movement and we pushed the game, then when Signe’s goal went in and Olivia’s went in, you think you can probably grow on that and it probably could have been a couple more.
“When you go behind that quickly it’s not ideal and that’s my responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen in terms of how we organise, how we set up, but then in the second half it’s more about us, how we compete, how physical we are, how dynamic we are with our approach and how ruthless we are with our chances. I thought we were a lot braver in the second half, we were more physical, we imposed ourselves and when we do that, we can be a match for anyone.”
Holdt provided a sublime assist for Gaupset’s goal before promptly getting in on the act herself, making it three consecutive games in which both players have scored.
“They’re the ones who are landing in the right positions at the right times to finish the chances, but when you’re in those positions, you want to be ruthless, you just need a bit of calmness,” Martin added. “In that moment when the ball drops, especially for Olivia’s goal, Drew could have (shot) herself but she didn’t, and that’s probably her experience and smartness to move it on again with one more pass, then Olivia finishes brilliantly in front of goal, nice and calmly, and that gets us going forward in terms of being 2-1 up.
“Signe can be ruthless in those moments but then also Olivia knows that position. I thought some of the work from the forward line was outstanding – Tinka (Tandberg), Tilly (Vinberg) in the first half, even Olivia and Julie (Blakstad) when they pushed the line, their work rate at the top of the pitch enabled us to get into some good positions and I think some of that selfless work from some of them goes unnoticed because they don’t get on the scoresheet, but it’s something we don’t miss as staff and I’m delighted that we’ve come out with the win today.”