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The Hammers are not a bad team, not by any means. They possess skill in their squad, and determination. You can see it in each challenge, every gut-busting run and in the frustrated body language when a pass fails to connect. That energy is mirrored on the sideline, with the manager animated during their loss to the visitors – “maintain shape”, “come closer”, “talk to her” and “Fion can’t get out” were part of the many instructions from the dugout, with those behind the dugout treated to the views of the coach while the action is in progress. The coach is in it, she is focused, the players are engaged, so where is the issue?

Concerning Numbers Tell the Tale

After five matches and they have no points, have conceded sixteen goals and netted only two. They are capable of scoring though, five individual scorers in a rout of their opponents in the League Cup on last month a momentary relief from losses before Chelsea scored three in 15 minutes last Sunday to put them firmly back in their place. Facing Chelsea the Hammers weren’t bad throughout, that quarter-hour disastrous period was an outlier and, while supporters worried about a total after the break meltdown, they recovered, thrived with their under pressure, and let in just one additional goal to the champions.

Consistency over a full match has been a ongoing problem. The opening stages and second half against Chelsea were spells to be pleased with, as was the first half versus the Gunners and second period facing the Seagulls.

Recurring Pattern Against Villa

Against Villa the story was repeated, the visiting team dominating possession in Dagenham but West Ham creating opportunities too, nine attempts to their opponents’ eleven. They were in it in the first half, competing, performing adequately to be able to take something from the match, the distinction though was that the home side had just one shot on target, as opposed to Villa’s four.

The team are not failing by their approach, grit or coaching choices, they are failing by individuals lacking composure when they get in scoring opportunities. This is that choice-making in the attacking zone that needs work, the five strikes netted versus WSL2 side their cup foes perhaps points to the problem: when they have time on the ball they make the right moves, when they are being pressed and harried by top-tier rivals it’s as though they struggle to think quickly enough.

“In my view we were sharp enough in the final third and we just lacked that cutting edge where the last pass was sometimes a bit over hit, lacking the necessary precision and then just being prepared to take on shots a sooner,” said the manager.

“Considering the individuals, when I’m watching them one by one, I just feel like they’re all a little bit hesitant relative to where we were previously. The willingness to run at people and be quite assertive was really, really strong and we just must restore that fight back where we’re a little bit more ruthless in and around the penalty area, where we are more courageous to go one-on-one and where what will be will be but we’re sending attackers forward and we’re trying to create opportunities. That’s something that we’ve just somewhat eased up a bit on and we’re seeking assists as opposed to being a little bit more straightforward and being a bit more confident in our own skills.”

Costly Instances Result in Loss

During the match that was costly again. Moments after Viviane Asseyi directed a header off target, they were made to pay at the opposite goal, an opponent collecting her short corner back from a teammate before driving the shot into the opposite side. Seven minutes later and the visiting team had a bigger cushion, a player’s set-piece lifted over the defensive line and in.

It was a further difficult afternoon for West Ham and their lack of results on the board will inevitably prompt questions arising about Skinner’s future. That would be wholly unfair though. Much work to be done for sure, confidence and quickness in choices must improve, and the players must bear some responsibility for that, but this is a team that is having difficulties from a shortage of love and care from the club as a entirety, and Skinner is a casualty of that as opposed to the architect of the team’s problems.

Wider Issues at Play

This summer, several individuals left and just a handful came in. The standard of those coming in this time round was arguably higher in general, but a limited funds has meant that year after year the club have lost their top talents to better teams. Prior to doubts are raised about the manager’s reign, she deserves a chance to show what she can do unhindered and that requires the team improving its support – and the same applies for several women’s top-flight clubs.