Martin Ho insisted his side can compete as he returns to Manchester United for the first time as Tottenham Hotspur Women’s head coach on Sunday.
Ho left his role as assistant at United in 2023, taking on his first head coach role in Denmark before joining Spurs at the start of the season.
His arrival has sparked a dramatic upturn in fortunes at the club, who are now fifth in the Women’s Super League after finishing second-bottom last time out.
Speaking in Friday’s pre-match press conference, Ho said of United: “They’re a team that’s competing for the title, they have world-class players in their squad, they’re competing in the big stages of the Champions League.
“They’re a world-class team, a top team in this league, so we know it’s gonna be a tough test, but we have to make sure we turn up with the right attitude and apply ourselves correctly.
“We just need to control what we can control and if we put in a big performance and perform to the levels I know we can, with and without the ball, I believe we can be a match for anyone and we’ve shown that in large spells.”
Ho confirmed Spurs had no new injury concerns and revealed Jessica Naz is “doing okay” after a second ACL injury of her career, picked up in Sunday’s win over Aston Villa, which ruled her out for the remainder of the season.
He said: “For any player that suffers an ACL injury, it’s obviously disappointing, frustrating definitely with Jess having one before.
“She’s in good spirits now, but obviously I know she’ll be disappointed inside.”
The club recently outlined plans for the men’s team to visit Australia as part of next year’s pre-season preparations, and Ho hinted they may extend to the women’s team.
“That’s for people away from me, commercially and leadership, to make those decisions, but yeah, I wouldn’t mind a trip to Australia if that comes about.
“If we can do those things as a collective, men and women, and it works for the club from a commercial and marketing perspective, then brilliant.”
Ho joked “let’s make this spicy” as he arrived in the press room, and the rivalry between the clubs is now a real one.
Lawrence Shamieh left United to join Ho as his assistant at the start of the campaign, showing the attention Spurs are now commanding within the league.
United head coach Marc Skinner rested many of his regular squad for their Champions League tie with Lyon on Wednesday, admitting he had half-an-eye on the weekend’s proceedings.
Ho said: “I think it shows where we are as a group and how much respect we’re maybe getting at this moment in time.”
United lost 3-0 in France and the Spurs manager is wary of the ‘wounded animal’ effect this weekend.
He said: “I think Marc would probably expect a reaction from his team.
“Maybe everyone’s trying to put a little bit more spice on the game because I’ve been there before and now I’m here and we’re playing against each other, but yeah, I expect a reaction from Manchester United because they’re a team that wants to win and are competing for the title.”
Sunday’s league trip to Manchester is followed by a repeat journey next week for the League Cup quarter-final, before the winter break sees Spurs out of action until early January.
Ho doesn’t believe consecutive games against United will define their start to the season, but admits beating a side of their stature is the next step for his team, after steady improvements in their meetings with the ‘big four’ so far this term.
A 5-1 loss to Manchester City was followed by a 1-0 loss to Chelsea, before a 0-0 draw with Arsenal in November.
Ho said: “I have no doubt the players are up for these games because these are the ones they want to play in, and when you’re playing against top players and a team that’s competing for the title, you want to make sure that you can show you’re competing at that level.
“I’m under no illusion that it’s a big task when we play these teams in terms of the talented squad they have, but I believe in our group of players.
“If we put things together, we’re organised, and we’re efficient with our play, then we can be a match for anyone.”
A win for Ho on Sunday would mark the best start to life in the WSL of any manager, but he’s determined to keep his feet on the ground and carry on improving.
He added: “We’ve had a good start, and I just want to make sure that we can continue to evolve as a club.
“If we can pick up those points and that is another kind of thing written in the books, then brilliant.
“But all our intentions are to go into that game and be competitive and make sure that we can come out on top.”
Featured image credit: Callum Humphrey
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