Tottenham boss Rehanne Skinner has outlined the problems her squad have faced this season and why they find themselves on a disappointing run of eight WSL defeats in a row.
Ever since their promotion to the top flight in 2019, Spurs have comfortably sat mid-table and last term they recorded their highest-ever finish in fifth. However, the consistency has started to wane this season and Skinner's side now find themselves in real threat of relegation.
The London club haven't won a league match since their 8-0 thrashing of Brighton at the end of October and they now sit 10th in the table, just three points clear of Leicester City at the bottom. Skinner addressed the team's inconsistencies this season and explained why she thinks they've struggled for form.
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"We've had a significant issue with player availability throughout the course of the season," she told the media this week. "Our squad is actually quite big but we haven't had them available, so our substitutes bench has been a challenge.
"There's been no game where the squad has actually been in a position to play 90 minutes across every single player. That has an impact. We've had to adjust the shape at times, we've had to have players in positions that aren't necessarily their favoured ones.
That's created disruptions and (prevented) us from getting into a flow. We had so much consistency last year; it has a huge impact. When you look at the teams who are successful at the moment, it's because depth in their squads is so much so you're replacing like for like and you're able to maintain the same level.
"Whereas we're still trying to manage people in different positions at times and that's a challenge for them, which is less than ideal for us. There's several factors that have created the challenges we've faced, but we're improving and we're getting players back into the squad."
Spurs have an opportunity to put things right this weekend when they take on WSL newcomers Liverpool at Prenton Park on Sunday. Skinner's side picked up a win against the Reds in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and the opponents are also struggling for form at the moment.
Matt Beard is also battling an injury crisis with several of his first team players currently sidelined through injury. After beating Reading 2-0 at the beginning of February, Liverpool have suffered back-to-back losses against Leicester and Arsenal in recent weeks.
Spurs, on the other hand, are hopeful January signing Bethany England will be fit to take on the Merseyside club on Sunday. However, they'll still be without some key players.
“Team news is looking promising this weekend," Skinner continued. "We’re getting people back in, which is a good thing. We’ll be missing Shelina Zadorsky for a little while due to an illness, but other than that we’re in a good place.
“We’re hoping Beth (England) will be available for the weekend and in a position to play.”
Kick-off at Prenton Park on Sunday is at 2:00 pm and supporters can watch the game live on the FA Player.
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