Ho on Chelsea clash in N17: “It's iconic - I’m really excited for my first game there”

Martin Ho has spoken about stepping on the sidelines at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time on Sunday, declaring: “I feel it’s the best stadium in world football.”

Not only will it be our Head Coach’s first experience in the dugout in N17, but it’s also a highly anticipated London derby in front of thousands of our Lilywhite fanbase, where we take on six-time Women’s Super League champions Chelsea.

Facing the Blues in north London on Sunday for a 2.25pm kick-off - tickets still available to buy online and on the day at the Paxton Ticket Office, subject to availability - Martin can’t wait for his first match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but is keen to remind players that’s just another game in the WSL.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Martin told the media: “[I’m] excited because it's my first game as a Head Coach at the stadium and, I've said it before, I feel it's the best stadium in world football.

“It's authentic, it's iconic and, when you're stood there, you feel that inside. So, I know it's a big opportunity for us, is it a big game? Every game is big. Is it bigger because it's a London derby? Yes, but because we play in the stadium, then maybe, yes, for other people.

“But you have to remove all the emotion attached to the game and just focus on the performance, which is easy for me to say because I'm not one of those players that steps out onto the pitch and plays.

“I'll do my best to remove that pressure as much as possible and just give them really key focus points on what they've delivered so far and what we've done so far and, then if we can really put a performance in where it's just focused on us, we give ourselves a good chance.”

On whether he sees opportunities to threaten Chelsea after their recent run of form, suffering back-to-back defeats in the WSL…

“They're a wonderful team. If anyone thinks that losing two games turns them into a bad team, then you're very, very, very mistaken. They're a wonderful team, they have wonderful players, they have a wonderful manager. When a team has played Arsenal and Manchester City, two top teams, in those games, it's kind of nip and tuck, who takes the chances at that level. Unfortunately, Chelsea have been on the back end of that. [They have] very dynamic players in the front line, very good players in central areas, and they've got some of the most decorated central midfielders in world football, so we need to be aware. We will be, but we have to show no fear in that. We have to apply ourselves correctly and focus on ourselves and what we want to do.”

On competing in a London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

“I think when you play a London derby, there's maybe your form and those sorts of aspects out the window because it's more bragging rights in a battle. But, we just need to focus on what we've been doing. The players now are relishing the opportunity to play against Chelsea at the stadium, that will bring an edge to us, it brings excitement definitely because you're playing in front of your own fans at the stadium and we just want to make sure that the performance backs up in terms of what we've been doing.”