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The Hammers cannot be considered a poor side, far from it. There is skill in their squad, and desire. You can see it in each challenge, every gut-busting run and in the disappointed body language when a ball doesn’t quite come off. That energy is mirrored on the touchline, with Rehanne Skinner vocal during their 2-0 defeat to the visitors – “maintain shape”, “come closer”, “talk to her” and “Fion can’t get out” are among the many commands from the technical area, as spectators behind the dugout hearing the thoughts of the manager while the action is under way. Skinner is in it, she is engaged, the players are engaged, so where is the issue?

Concerning Statistics Reveal the Story

After five matches and they have zero points, have conceded sixteen goals and scored twice. They are capable of scoring though, five different goal scorers in a rout of their opponents in the cup competition on last month a momentary relief from defeat before Chelsea scored three in a quarter-hour last weekend to return them in their place. Facing Chelsea West Ham weren’t bad for large parts, that quarter-hour calamitous spell was an outlier and, while many feared a total second half meltdown, they recovered, thrived with their under pressure, and let in just one additional goal to the title holders.

Consistency across a full match has been a ongoing issue. The first five minutes and second half versus the Blues were spells to be proud of, as was the first half against Arsenal and second period facing the Seagulls.

Familiar Pattern Against Villa

Against Villa the story was repeated, the away side controlling the ball in their home ground but the Hammers having chances too, nine attempts to their opponents’ eleven. They were in it in the opening period, competing, performing adequately to be able to earn a result from the match, the distinction though was that West Ham had just one attempt on goal, as compared to Villa’s four.

West Ham are not being let down by their approach, determination or coaching choices, they are being let down by individuals lacking composure when they get in good positions. It is that decision making in the attacking zone that needs work, the five strikes scored versus WSL2 side their cup foes perhaps points to the problem: when they have space and time they make the right moves, when they are being pressed and challenged by top-tier rivals it’s as though they struggle to make rapid decisions.

“In my view we were sharp enough in the attacking area and we just lacked that cutting edge where the last pass was sometimes a bit too strong, not quite the necessary precision and then just needing to attempt efforts a sooner,” said the manager.

“Considering the players, when I’m watching them individually, I just feel like they’re somewhat reluctant relative to where we were previously. The desire to take on defenders and be quite assertive was really, really strong and we just need to get that fight back where we’re a little bit more ruthless in and around the box, where we are more courageous to go one-on-one and where we accept the outcome but we’re committing players and we’re trying to generate chances. This is an area that we’ve just somewhat eased up a little bit on and we’re seeking assists as instead of being a little bit more direct and being a bit more self-assured in our own ability.”

Costly Moments Result in Loss

During the match that was damaging again. Shortly after Viviane Asseyi directed a header wide, they were made to pay at the opposite goal, Kirsty Hanson receiving her set-piece back from Lynn Wilms before lashing the ball into the opposite side. Seven minutes later and Natalia Arroyo’s side had a larger lead, a player’s set-piece lobbed over the wall and in.

This proved another difficult afternoon for the Hammers and their absence of results on the table will certainly prompt questions being asked about Skinner’s position. This is wholly unjust though. There is work to be made for sure, self-belief and speed in decision making must improve, and the players must bear some responsibility for that, but this is a side that is having difficulties from a lack of love and care from the club as a entirety, and Skinner is a victim of that as opposed to the architect of the team’s struggles.

Wider Issues at Work

This summer, several individuals left and just a handful arrived. The quality of those joining in this window was possibly higher in general, but a limited funds has resulted in that season-on-season West Ham have seen depart their top talents to more successful sides. Before questions are raised about Skinner’s tenure, she merits a opportunity to demonstrate what she can do without constraints and that requires the team improving its support – and the identical applies for several WSL clubs.