Rianna Dean hoping to rediscover her best form at Southampton FC

Saints welcome Tottenham to the Silverlake Stadium this evening – which will mark a reunion for Dean and her former side.

The 25 year old was part of the Spurs squad that gained promotion to the Women’s Super League in 2019.

Helping Tottenham gain entry to the WSL for the first time in the club’s history remains one of Dean’s happiest memories from her three years with the club.

“Spurs have come a long way. Since gaining promotion to the WSL you can see their progression," she told the Daily Echo, reflecting on her time in the capital.

"Nobody ever thought that we would get promoted. The fact I had a big part to play in that promotion makes it one of the best moments I’ve had in my career.”

Rianna Dean has scored three goals in eight games for Saints this season (Image: Southampton FC / Isabelle Field)

That season saw Dean hit 14 goals in 16 league games - a total which remains her career best.

Two top-flight campaigns at Spurs followed before a switch to former WSL winners Liverpool, who had ambitions of returning to the big time.

Dean got off to a lightning start on Merseyside, scoring twice in her first three games. Then, injury struck.

She did not play again for Liverpool as they gained promotion due to an injury to the tendon under her foot, which kept her out for well over a year.

The forward returned to football 16 months later, this time in Crystal Palace colours – before sealing a move to Southampton in the summer.

“I’ve had a frustrating two years where I have been out with injury and I’ve had to find my own momentum.

“Touch wood, I’ve been consistent for the last three or four months. I’m hoping to get that form back and be like I was."

The Arsenal youth product was forced off late on in Southampton's 3-0 win over Watford on Sunday with a head injury.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Marieanne Spacey-Cale explained how Saints would have to monitor her ahead of facing Spurs.

Dean’s arrival at Southampton also aligned with injury. As a result, Dean feels as though she is “playing catch up.”

“I missed pre-season," she continued. "That makes things a lot harder. But the girls have been really good with me - they’ve helped me out.

“As much as it’s been a frustrating period for me, the girls got the season off to a good start.”

Saints kick-started 2024 by winning both of their games. With promotion the ambition, Dean insists they need to remain consistent in the final months of the campaign.

They currently sit fourth in an ultra-competitive Championship, where only two points separate first and fifth place.

Southampton have already lost five league games this season - more than any side that have won the second division.

That fact is not a concern for Dean, however, who has twice gained promotion in her career.

Rianna Dean joined Southampton FC Women from Crystal Palace this summer. (Image: Southampton FC /Isabelle Field)

“It isn’t something to panic about, but we know that it has put more pressure on us to not lose any more games.

“The second half of the season is all about momentum. We need that momentum because we don’t want to be inconsistent.

“We have started off well. Hopefully, if we can continue that, promotion is something that will happen.

“Over the years the Championship has got a lot better - and a lot harder. The division is really exciting.

"You never know who is going to win a game, even if one team are top and the other team is at the bottom.”

The ever-increasing competitive nature of the Championship has brought the league's structure into question.

At present, the division only affords one promotion spot to the WSL, meaning more than one side could miss out by just a few points.

“It’s hard, that is how they’ve structured the league,” Dean concluded.

“All we can do is keep progressing. The same for the teams in the league below us as well.

“Hopefully that can make a statement that women’s football can grow on the whole.”