Maya Le Tissier is doing them proud back home in the Channel Islands.

Now the Albion defender hopes to live up to that backing by helping them slowly climb the FA WSL table.

The Seagulls host Tottenham at the People’s Pension Stadium tomorrow (2pm) knowing a win would take them to within a point of their opponents.

It could also increase a gap over bottom spot which was extended to seven points by the excellent draw at home to Manchester United.

Le Tissier is enjoying a breakthrough season, having signed her first professional deal last month.

She was named Channel Islands sports personality of the year recently.

Le Tissier, 17, told The Argus: “It came as quite a shock. It was a public vote as well so it meant a lot that people back home were supporting me.

“It was a great night, supporting all the Channel Island success.

 

 

 

“When you are in the Channel Islands, it is difficult to get on the bigger scale of things over here. It’s definitely a different journey.

“I think people who come from the Channel Islands, it is in your mindset that you are resilient, anything that comes at you, you can deal with it.”

Le Tissier is a very modern centre-back. She is one of the shortest players in the team but reads the game well and plays out from the back.

Time spent further forward has helped her in terms of ball management and she is very confident taking possession from the goalkeeper.

She said: “The team trust me to get on the ball and play out.

“If I can pick up the ball and find a pass, then I am more than capable of doing so.

“I am confident enough that the players around me will give me options.

“I don’t mind getting the ball under pressure. Otherwise, we just go long.

“We want to control the game and get more possession so we can create chances.

“Getting the ball under pressure? It’s all right. I don’t mind.

“As long as there are options ahead of me, it’s good.

“I used to play centre midfield so it helps in receiving the ball under a bit more pressure.

“Maybe having that 360 degrees awareness helps.

“Last season I played a bit in midfield, which has definitely helped me, and trained there as well.

“It’s just basics - receive the ball, limited touches and then play off.”

Hope Powell enjoys seeing Le Tissier looking comfortable on the ball.

The Albion boss said: “We work a lot on doing the basics well, get a lot of touches on the ball because i think it gives you confidence.

“She has developed as a player and her international experience has really helped her.

“She has been in and around the first team for over a year so she has got a lot of confidence, she is very mature.

“The players around her here really help her but I think she is still developing.

“I think she can get better, I think she will get better.

“Right now she is a massive asset to this team.

“I am really pleased for her because really she is a nice kid.”

As Le Tissier faced the press yesterday, there was a reminder in one question that the Euros next year are 500 days away.

Le Tissier would love to be involved although she sees that tournament as being perhaps too soon.

She said: “Certainly in a few years, everyone’s dream is to play for England and become a senior Lioness.

“”It is something that is in the pathway but it is going to take a lot more time for me to develop as a player and be able to push the players in that squad, “I have had this season in WSL but, compared to the likes of Steph Haughton, Millie Bright and that sort of player, they have had a lot more experiences.”

Albion were shocked by a freakish own goal after 15 seconds at home to Manchester United.

But they limited their opponents to precious few chances after that, repeating the sort of steely performance which previously helped them win 1-0 at home to Everton.

Le Tissier said: “We work on our shape quite a bit in training.

“Especially being a defender myself, it is important we keep clean sheets or limit the goals.

“We are really happy with the defensive shape and that creates chances for our attacking players, which is more important.”

“We want to be a high-performing team consistently.

“When you concede in 30 seconds it is a bit of a shock.

“But I think this team, this season, has the mentality we can switch back to the game, focus on our performance and, as you saw, we got a good result.

“It was one we will take although it would have been nice to get three points.”