Tottenham Hotspur’s deadline day signing, Martha Thomas, has had an exceptional start to the 2023/23 Women’s Super League season. The forward has majorly impressed for the Lilywhites so far, amplifying their performances by scoring some spectacular goals and making a difference for the team when it mattered. Finding her feet in Robert Vilahamn’s squad, is his team in for a successful year?
Martha Thomas has shown to be a brilliant signing for Tottenham Hotspur. The forward has had an outstanding start to the campaign; scoring 7 goals in 5 games for the North London side, she is the league’s top scorer at this point.
Previously at Manchester United, the Scottish international struggled to find herself in the starting XI, acquiring scarce game time with the Reds; however, she has shown her quality since signing for the North London side over the summer.
Playing a major role in Robert Vilahamn’s squad, who’s appointment has begun to transform the team, Thomas has been given an environment to thrive in. At Manchester United, she only managed 2 goals in the 29 appearances she acquired last season, down to a lack of consistent playing time at the club.
She has come into a Tottenham team who have struggled in various areas over previous seasons, goalscoring being one. Last season this was a major issue which pushed them into the relegation zone, only scoring 11 goals in 9 games in the early part of the season, 8 of which came from a singular fixture. Lacking squad depth in attacking areas was another which needed to be tackled to avoid similar struggles this time around, so the signing of Thomas couldn’t have come at a greater time for Spurs.
Spurs fans were left worried after the news broke that their star striker Bethany England suffered an injury requiring minor hip surgery, which has placed her on the sidelines for an extended period. She was part of the Lionesses squad which reached the 2023 World Cup Final. The forward effectively rescued the side from relegation last season, by scoring 12 goals in 12 games, after Tottenham signed her in the winter transfer window.
Thomas’ excellent form has calmed all nerves amongst fans. So far, her highlights include a stunning hattrick against Aston Villa and striking a leveller at Brighton, which the team then went onto win 3-1. After struggling with conceding early goals in the past, the forward’s persistent threat up front has made the difference on several occasions.
With her goal tally racking up, it is already being asked that if the striker's form maintains, is she in contention for the golden boot?
Thomas fits in with the style of football that Spurs have implemented since the appointment of Vilahamn; his team looks to be possessional and in-control of the game, playing high-pressing football with attacking transitions. Being clinical in front of goal is a must, where Thomas is thriving. Vilahamn has mentioned how “you can see we have really good character in this group…see how brave we are in the build-up and how we play the Tottenham way”.
Things are looking exciting at Spurs and no doubt when captain Bethany England makes her return, the linkup between the two forwards will produce some excellent football with many more goals. It is now the question of how far the team can push this year? Although it is early days, they currently sit 3rd, a point below Chelsea and Manchester City. They take on Everton at home in their next fixture, on the 5th November 2023.