Opposition watch | Bristol City (WSL)
It’s a trip to Ashton Gate on Sunday afternoon (2pm UK) as we face Bristol City in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Robins…
Form
After securing promotion back to the WSL last season, the Robins have endured a tough campaign in England’s top division on their return, winning once and registering three draws in 16 games. Although their only victory came back in November, beating West Ham 3-2 at The Chigwell Construction Stadium, they recently came from behind on two occasions to secure a point after a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, while they put in a strong performance against Manchester United, although they suffered a 2-0 defeat and were down to 10 players for the closing stages of the game.
Players to watch
Danish forward Amalie Thestrup has thrived in her first season as a Robin, netting nine goals in 15 WSL appearances and is the club’s leading goalscorer. The 28-year-old having previous experience of playing at the highest level in England with West Ham (2023) and Liverpool (2020/21). Midfielder Carrie Jones made a permanent move to Ashton Gate in the summer, joining from Manchester United, and made an instant impact as she scored on her debut and has gone onto net three goals in the WSL this campaign. They have an experienced leader among the pack in Northern Ireland international and former Spur player Rachel Furness, where she spent three months on loan with us during the 2019/20 campaign, who has racked up nearly 200 career appearances with spells at Reading, Sunderland and Liverpool. Defender Naomi Layzell is an England U23 international and, in the last international break, was given the opportunity to train with the Lionesses.
Manager – Lauren Smith
Lauren Smith has a long association with the Robins having first joined them in 2010 as an Under-14s coach, before being appointed the club’s Under 9-19s technical director and first team assistant coach. Left in 2017 to become assistant manager of the Wales women’s national team, while she spent six months with us between January to June 2021 as an assistant coach. Took over the Head Coach role at Bristol City that summer and led them back to the WSL last season, being named Championship Manager of the Season in the process.
Last time we met
We met the Robins in the group phase of the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup and Rosella Ayane netted a brace in the 3-1 victory at Brisbane Road. The Morocco international won the penalty that saw Kit Graham give us a 19th-minute lead before Rosella netted two impressive finishes either side of half-time, inspiring us to pick up six points in our first two games of the group.
How to follow
Sunday's match will be screened live on the FA Player. You can follow the game on our women's social channels - Instagram and X - and minute-by-minute text coverage via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com. Match highlights and reaction will also be available via SPURSPLAY and tottenhamhotspur.com.