Mon 26 April 2021, 17:45
Tottenham HotspurAlanna Kennedy has called on Spurs Women to start games with a stronger mentality after conceding early to Manchester United on Sunday.
Ella Toone’s goal inside nine minutes paved the way for the hosts to open up a 3-0 half-time lead in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League – Christen Press and Jess Sigsworth also on target – before Toone added her second from the spot just after the interval.
Slotting in at centre-back with Abbie McManus ineligible for the match, Alanna bagged a consolation in the fourth minute of additional time with a superb free-kick, but it wasn’t enough to get us any points at Leigh Sports Village.
Speaking with us after the 4-1 defeat, Alanna was keen to express how she believes we need to improve.
“For us, it’s the mentality going into the start of the game,” she said. “Coming into the game, we wanted to press high from the start and I think we did for the first couple of minutes and then we lost our way in the game. Moving forward we need the mentality to turn that around. Once we go down a goal, how do we react? That’s something we’ll be looking to do differently.
“On the free-kick, I enjoy stepping-up for those moments. It came off last week and again this week too, but it did get a handy little deflection which helped. I was happy with that, but it doesn’t mean much when it’s a 4-1 game.”
💥 What a hit @AlannaKennedy!#BarclaysFAWSL @SpursWomen pic.twitter.com/DfxSRUjici
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) April 25, 2021
Normally operating in central midfield for us, Alanna commented on playing at centre-half, explaining: “We’ve got a few girls who can play in different positions which always comes in handy. I’m comfortable in defence, I play there in the national team so it was easy. Shelina (Zadorsky) and I have a history of playing centre-back together as well, but it’s helpful when there’s players who can play in different positions.”
Looking ahead to our next match on Wednesday week, Alanna added: “Our focus will turn now to the Chelsea game. I’m looking forward to focusing on that and then each game that comes. But definitely we’ll bounce back, we’re in a good headspace and team morale is always high here – it’s something I can’t fault. The girls work so hard every week in training and always stick by each other. I’m sure we’ll turn it around next week.”
