A PLEASED Lauren Phillips called on Saints Women to “grab and grow” with belief that they can roll with the best opponents in 2023. 

The stand-in boss, head coach in Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s absence, was speaking after her side were defeated 1-0 by WSL Tottenham Hotspur.

It meant three defeats from three in the Continental Cup, but Saints were not clearly second-best in Sunday’s clash at St Mary’s.

The Spurs opener came in the first-half via Nikola Karczewska but Saints had a number of solid chances to level – chiefly through Beth Lumsden.

“For periods of the game, we started quite well, but we dropped off a bit and got a little bit deeper,” Phillips identified to the Daily Echo.

“That is a habit we seem to have when momentum shifts and we won’t be as brave as we know the group can be. Going into half-time, we picked up on moments where we could force mistakes.”

She added: “We addressed exactly what we wanted and they came out and delivered that, and I don’t really feel that they tested us too much other than a period of back-to-back set-pieces.

“That was why it was frustrating we gave them five or six in the first 25 minutes. There is some growth though, they just need to believe in themselves that they can deliver it.

“That is the biggest thing they need to grab and grow with, and back themselves a little more.”

Saints will return to action from the upcoming winter break as Championship contenders, hosting Lewes on Sunday, January 15.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.