Martin Ho thinks Tottenham are a sleeping giant but the derby will prove if they are awake

The long-term play for North London supremacy

Martin Ho has spent the last two years attempting to dismantle the idea that Tottenham Women are merely a satellite project of the men’s side. By signing a new long-term deal on March 27, 2026, the manager has effectively doubled down on his belief that the club is ready to break the traditional WSL hierarchy. The timing is calculated. Dropping this news days before a North London Derby isn't just a vote of confidence from the board; it is a tactical message to Arsenal that the power gap in the capital is no longer a canyon.

Ho’s tenure has been defined by a shift from the survivalist pragmatism of the Rehanne Skinner era to a structured, possession-heavy model. When he arrived in 2023, Spurs were a team that suffered through games, often retreating into a deep 5-4-1 and praying for a counter-attack. Under Ho, they have developed a recognizable tactical identity. They now prioritize ball retention and verticality through the half-spaces, moving from a side that averaged 38% possession to one that regularly clocks 58% possession against non-top-four opposition.

The phrase 'sleeping giant' is often used in football to mask a lack of current achievement with the promise of historical weight. Ho’s use of the term is different. He isn't talking about trophies from the 1970s; he is talking about the infrastructure at Hotspur Way and the sheer commercial gravity of the Tottenham brand. However, branding does not win headers at the back post, and as Ho commits his future to the club, the pressure to transition from 'developing' to 'dominant' becomes immediate.

'Spurs are a sleeping giant in women's football.'

Deconstructing the Ho system

To understand why the Spurs board handed Ho a new contract, you have to look at the underlying numbers of their progression. Ho has successfully implemented an inverted full-back system that allows Tottenham to create a box midfield during the build-up phase. This prevents the central stagnation that plagued the team for years. By pushing his full-backs into the pivot space, Ho allows his creative midfielders to operate between the lines, forcing opposition defenders into uncomfortable decisions about when to step out of the defensive block.

The defensive metrics are equally revealing. Spurs have moved from being a team that conceded cheap goals in transition to one with the fourth-best defensive record in the league this season. Ho’s background at Manchester United and in various coaching roles has given him a meticulous eye for structural discipline. He demands a high-intensity press that triggers the moment the ball enters the middle third, rather than the frantic, disorganized chasing seen in previous seasons. It is a mature way to play, but it requires a level of concentration that Spurs still occasionally lack.

There is, however, a critical flaw in this 'sleeping giant' narrative. While the tactical floor of the team has been raised, the ceiling remains frustratingly low in big-game scenarios. Tottenham still struggle to impose their will on the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City. They have become the ultimate 'best of the rest' team, beating the bottom half of the table with clinical efficiency but looking toothless when the physical and technical intensity reaches elite levels. Ho’s new deal suggests he has a plan to bridge that gap, but the proof must come on the pitch, not in a press release.

The North London Derby litmus test

The upcoming clash with Arsenal is the perfect stage to validate Ho’s contract extension. For years, this fixture has been one-sided, defined by Arsenal’s technical superiority and Spurs’ inferiority complex. But Ho has slowly chipped away at that mental barrier. He doesn't set his team up to 'stop' Arsenal anymore; he sets them up to compete. This shift in mentality is the most significant contribution he has made to the club, even more so than the tactical tweaks or the recruitment drive.

Arsenal’s mid-block will be the primary obstacle. Jonas Eidevall’s side are experts at baiting teams into central traps, and Ho’s insistence on playing through the middle could be his undoing if the execution is anything less than perfect. We saw this in the previous derby where a 15-minute collapse in the second half turned a competitive game into a rout. If Spurs want to prove they are a giant, they have to stop falling asleep during the transitional moments that define elite football matches.

The tactical battle will likely be won or lost on the flanks. Ho likes his wingers to stay high and wide to stretch the pitch, creating room for late runs from the number eight. If Arsenal can pin those wingers back and force them into a defensive role, the Spurs attack becomes isolated. Ho needs his creative players to take risks, even if it leads to turnovers. A cautious Tottenham is a losing Tottenham, and the manager’s new contract should give him the security to be bold in his selection and his strategy.

Recruitment and the 2026 World Cup horizon

A long-term deal for a manager is also a signal to prospective signings. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicking off in less than three months, the summer transfer window will be a frenzy of activity. Players looking for a stable environment with a clear tactical direction will see Tottenham as a viable alternative to the chaos often found at other clubs in the WSL. Ho’s commitment ensures that any new arrival knows exactly who they will be playing for and what will be expected of them.

However, the recruitment strategy has been hit-and-miss under this regime. While the acquisition of technical ball-players has improved the style of play, the team still lacks a world-class 'number nine' who can turn 0.5 xG chances into goals. Spurs often dominate territory but fail to convert that dominance into a meaningful scoreline. Relying on a collective scoring effort is noble, but in the WSL, you need a predator. If Ho doesn't use his new-found security to demand a top-tier striker, the 'sleeping giant' will stay in a coma for another three-year cycle.

There is also the question of youth development. Tottenham have invested heavily in their academy, yet the pathway to the first team remains cluttered with experienced stop-gap signings. A true 'giant' of the game produces its own talent. Ho has spoken about the importance of the long-term project, but he has been hesitant to give significant minutes to the club's top prospects in high-stakes games. If this new contract is truly about the future, we need to see a more integrated approach to the squad's age profile.

Ambition vs. Reality

The danger for Martin Ho is that he has now set the bar very high. By calling Tottenham a 'sleeping giant,' he has invited comparisons to the very best in Europe. The infrastructure is there, the funding is consistent, and the manager now has the security of a long-term contract. The excuses have been stripped away. If Spurs cannot secure a top three finish within the next two seasons, the 'sleeping giant' label will become a millstone around Ho's neck rather than a rallying cry.

We have seen this story before in the WSL. Teams like Everton or Manchester United have threatened to break into the elite circle, only to find that the gap between 'very good' and 'champions' is the hardest one to close. It requires more than just money and a nice training ground; it requires a ruthless winning culture that survives individual mistakes. Ho has brought the technicality, but he has yet to prove he can instill that killer instinct when the lights are brightest.

As we head into the North London Derby, the narrative is set. A win for Spurs would be the ultimate justification for Ho’s extension and a sign that the giant is finally stirring. A heavy defeat, however, would suggest that while the contract is long-term, the progress might be stalled. Martin Ho has talked the talk; now he has to ensure his players don't just sleepwalk through the most important game of their season. The time for potential is over; the time for results is here.