Tottenham Hotspur begin to gear up for a momentous occasion set to arrive in the opening weeks of April, as the Spurs prepare to host Leicester City in the club’s inaugural Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-final. To make the historic moment all the more special, the clash is set to be hosted at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

As Tottenham fans prepare to watch their side fight it out from the seats of The Lane, now arrives an opportunistic time to reflect on the movement that the club has undergone in a matter of months. Excerpted from a previous article with topical significance, we reflected on Tottenham’s rapid growth under Robert Vilahamn:

“Since the appointment of Vilahamn, the Barclays Women’s Super League have been the audience to a Tottenham Hotspur side reformed. Ignorance would say the side is near-perfect, however the birth of ‘Bobby Ball’ is something that football fans should be playing very close attention to.”

From fighting a relegation battle throughout their treacherous 2022/23 campaign in the Barclays Women’s Super League, to now approaching one final hurdle between themselves and Wembley Stadium, it’s safe to say that Spurs have flourished under the management of Robert Vilahamn. The ‘one-club’ direction seems to be unanimous, with Ange Postecoglou’s mens outfit seen to be making similar strides.

It’s simple to rattle stats, and scribe a heavy pile of journalistic opinions. However, the voices who matter most are the ones of the players being managed by Vilahamn himself. Since the turn of the year, The Halfway Line have had the opportunity to speak to countless Spurs across many occasions. These are words from five Tottenham players, each reflecting on how they have viewed the 2023/24 campaign under Robert Vilahamn.

‘He really gave me a chance’ says Grace Clinton

20 year-old Grace Clinton is hard to look past when scouring for evidence of Robert Vilahamn’s Tottenham philosophy. Since her arrival to North London on a loan spell from Manchester United, Clinton has transformed from a fresh face in a league full of superstars, to one of the Barclays Women’s Super League’s strongest assets.

The Halfway Line has had the excellent opportunity to speak to Clinton on a few occasions over recent months, and upon hearing her words, her statement was clear- Vilahamn’s trust has allowed her to flourish.

“From where we’ve come from and where we’ve progressed, it’s massive. But [we’ve] still got a lot of work to do. Robert’s plan is working, so we just have to have faith in it- Robert has given me that freedom to play how I want. For a player like me, that’s fun, and it’s what I want to do” said Clinton after the recent North London derby.

Speaking to the Spurs midfielder at Hotspur Way last week, a similar message was shared by Clinton.

“To be honest, when I first came here I knew I’d be fighting for a position on the pitch. Even Robert giving me a chance when maybe older players could have done a better job at the time, but he really trusts the young players. That’s one part of his philosophy that he’s clear on, he gives youth a chance, and with me, he really gave me a chance. If he maybe hadn’t of done that, I don’t think I’d have the fitness, I’d have the confidence, to really go and express myself. That all comes from his trust in me, it’s amazing to come from a top coach like him.”

The question of Clinton’s future with the club regularly arises in casual conversation amongst those who have been following her career closely over recent months. However, it is safe to say that her exponential growth since signing in the summer has been primarily catalysed by the trust instilled in her by Vilahamn.

‘I feel like a new footballer in every single way’ says Martha Thomas

Martha Thomas has found herself in precarious territory over recent campaigns, having not made the impact she may have hoped for throughout her spell at Manchester United.

Since her arrival at Tottenham Hotspur, the Barclays Women’s Super League have played audience to a Thomas reborn. Her opening month with Spurs saw her take on an incredible lease of form, scoring six league goals in October alone. Describing herself as a ‘Confidence Player’ in conversation with The Halfway Line last week, Thomas spoke on how her transition to North London has been for her football.

“It’s huge- it was something I was really looking for and I knew that the next move that I made had to be one where I got that. Because if I wasn’t enjoying football then I know I’m never going to play how I know I can play. So to come here and have the first month that I had, and have the start to the season that we had as a club was huge. So it’s been everything for my confidence, and I feel like a new footballer in every single way.“

As Thomas digests what it has been like working with the Swedish boss throughout her Tottenham journey thus far, the Scottish striker expressed “to have that belief in knowing that he trusts me to play deeper, or play up higher, means a lot.“

Thomas continued, “Every club that you go to is different. I came here wanting a fresh start, and that’s exactly what I got. I sort of wasn’t myself when I was playing, I wasn’t enjoying it as much. So to come here, we’ve got a great group of girls here, playing under Robert [Vilahamn] is great. He’s got a specific style he wants to play, and he really believes in his players.”

‘We enjoy his style of football’ expresses Kit Graham

Another player who seems to have found an exceptional run of form throughout the current campaign, is Kit Graham. Having put on a dominant display in December’s North London derby victory at The Lane, Graham finds herself amongst a high rotation of midfield strength- often sharing the central role with both Olga Ahtinen, and Eveliina Summanen.

Following Tottenham’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic in February, Graham had the chance to reflect on what Vilahamn’s arrival has done for the transformation of the side since the summer.

“I’m sure you’ve heard it before but he’s a super nice guy, and I think we needed that at the start of the season. A fresh start, someone that came in and connected really well with the team, and he’s done that. We enjoy his style of football and I think you can tell that in our performances.

It’s a contrast to last year, where this year we actually have belief to go on and win games. We didn’t just see that out defensively, like we want to go score goals. We’re enjoying it.”

‘Matilda Vinberg expresses ‘It was really easy for me to come here‘

Young Swedish talent, Matilda Vinberg, made her move to Tottenham Hotspur during the recent winter transfer window from Hammarby IF in the Damallsvenskan.

Vinberg delivered the victorious blow in Tottenham’s most recent outing, as the Swedish forward’s second-minute finish saw the Spurs claim 1-0 victory over Leicester City at Brisbane Road Stadium. Speaking to Vinberg in a post match interview following her first goal in Lilywhite, she praised Vilahamn’s impact in helping her adjust to life in North London.

“He knew me before I joined the club. So for me it was really easy to come here, and knowing that it’s going to take time. Robert was really calm and clear with what kind of process he wanted to do with me as a player, and put no stress on me at all. He said it’s going to take time to settle into moving and to create new relationships with the girls.”

Charli Grant reflects on attacking football

Over the course of the 2023/24 campaign for Tottenham Hotspur, it has become clear that Robert Vilahamn hopes to implement a firm stylistic identity at the club. Attacking football is the brand, as Vilahamn looks to be decisive in possession, and aggressive in the press.

After signing with the North London club during the January transfer window, Australian defender Charli Grant expressed that her reason for joining Tottenham had a lot to do with the stylistic identity that Vilahamn is crafting at Hotspur Way.

“I love it, that was a big reason to why I came here. He loves us being really high, and attacking really high as fullbacks, and pressing high. I think that was a really important move for me knowing that it’s in his plan. I’m loving to be able to play my natural style of play.”