Spurs 0-1 City (Conti Cup) | Robert’s verdict: “I’m disappointed as I feel we were in the game”
Thu 08 February 2024, 06:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Robert Vilahamn was disappointed to see our FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup journey come to an end on Wednesday evening following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
It took a moment of brilliance to separate the two sides in the 90 minutes, Filippa Angeldahl teeing up Yui Hasegawa and she blasted high into the next from 20 yards out, which was enough to see Gareth Taylor’s side progress into the next round.
Despite limiting City to very few clear cut opportunities, we struggled to create chances ourselves, and although it was frustration for Robert, he was pleased with certain parts of our play and the defensive performance.
“I’m very disappointed right now as I feel we were in the game, we were good in the build-up and we actually dictated the game in that phase, and we were brave enough to play out of their press,” speaking in his post-match interview with SPURSPLAY.
“We didn’t create too many chances, but we played against a very good team. We are just not there yet, it was better than our previous results against them but still frustrating.
It’s hard to be disappointed in the defensive game, but they scored one goal and that was enough.
“In the previous games, they pressed us very well but, in this game, we actually dictated that part as Kit [Graham] and Eveliina [Summanen] wanted the ball all the time and we could play through their press. If we start there and play out from the back against one of the best teams in this league, that’s very good. But, to convert that to goal chances, then we need better structure and players in the box, being sharper in the final third.
“So, we need to get better there and we need to make sure they don’t score those goals from set pieces, but we defended very well. It’s hard to be disappointed in the defensive game, but they scored one goal and that was enough.
Our attention quickly turns to another cup competition at the weekend as we face Charlton Athletic in the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Saturday evening (5.15pm) at Brisbane Road.
Looking ahead to the game, Robert said: “We have a strong squad now, so we have the opportunity to pick and choose a few different players and still have a strong starting eleven.
“Shuang started the game today and got minutes, Kit did as well and had a good game. I think with the squad we have now, we need to use the different type of players to push the players to the next level.
“We will have a strong squad for Charlton on Saturday as we want to have a good run in the FA Cup. It might not be a good result today, but we will take our chances in the FA Cup so, hopefully, we can go far in that one.”
