Tottenham Women are gearing up for their Women's Super League season opener against West Ham United this Sunday, with manager Martin Ho and supporters expressing optimism about the campaign ahead. The club, which finished fifth last season, has made six summer signings as they aim to challenge for a Champions League spot.
What did Martin Ho say ahead of the West Ham match?
Manager Martin Ho addressed the media on Friday at Hotspur Way, previewing the London derby. According to the club's official website, Ho discussed integrating new players like Shekiera Martinez and Kirsty Hanson, emphasizing they were brought in to add quality and competition rather than simply replace departed stars. He highlighted other key additions including Victoria Pelova, Caitlin Dijkstra, and Alice Sombath.
Ho stressed the importance of consistency, both on and off the pitch, as the key to earning respect and competing with the league's elite. He acknowledged West Ham as a well-organized opponent under manager Rita Guarino, who has had a full pre-season to implement her ideas. The manager believes his team can compete with anyone on their day but must find a high level of performance in games decided by small margins.
Why is there excitement around the squad this season?
A season preview from Cartilage Free Captain points to renewed optimism for Tottenham Women. The outlet notes the team turned a corner last season under Ho, playing attractive attacking football on their way to a fifth-place finish. The core of that promising side, including players like Toko Koga, Olivia Holdt, and Signe Gaupset, has been retained.
The article contrasts this stability with previous cycles where strong seasons were followed by key players departing for bigger clubs or suffering major injuries. While acknowledging the emotional impact of losing veterans like Ash Neville, Beth England, and Molly Bartrip, the preview suggests those moves were logical as the players were aging or no longer the strongest options. The six new signings are seen as bolstering the ranks with solid players and prospects for the future.
What is the recent history against West Ham?
BBC Sport provides the head-to-head statistics for this weekend's fixture. The most recent meeting saw Tottenham Women secure a 2-1 away victory over West Ham on 1 February 2026. Before that, Spurs won 1-0 at home in the corresponding fixture last season on 7 September 2025.
West Ham's last win in this fixture was a 2-0 home victory on 23 March 2025. Tottenham Women enter the match having won their final pre-season friendly 5-0 against Bristol City. West Ham's last outing was a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in a friendly. You can view the full fixtures list for the season ahead.
Where does the team stand after last season?
Tottenham Women finished the 2025-26 FA WSL season in fifth place with 36 points. Their record was 11 wins, 3 draws, and 8 losses from 22 games. They scored 35 goals but conceded 38, leaving them with a negative three goal difference.
The final table shows the scale of the challenge ahead, with the team ending the campaign 19 points behind champions Manchester City. Their recent form at the end of last season was mixed, recorded as two wins, two draws, and a loss. The current standings will reset as the new season begins this weekend. The club's ambition is to close that considerable gap to the top four.
Who are the new faces in the squad?
Martin Ho confirmed several new arrivals during his press conference. The most prominent are attackers Shekiera Martinez and Kirsty Hanson, both of whom have proven WSL goal-scoring records. They are joined by midfielder Victoria Pelova, defender Caitlin Dijkstra, and goalkeeper Alice Sombath.
Selma Panengstuen has also been added to provide competition in the goalkeeping department. These signings are designed to add depth and raise the overall quality of the squad as Tottenham Women look to build on last season's progress. Fans can check the official squad page for full player details. The season begins at Brisbane Road on Sunday at 12 noon UK time.
