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West Ham cannot be considered a poor team, not by any means. There is talent in their squad, and determination. You can see it in every tackle, every gut-busting run and in the disappointed gestures when a pass doesn’t quite come off. That energy is mirrored on the sideline, with Rehanne Skinner animated throughout their 2-0 defeat to the visitors – “maintain shape”, “tighten up”, “communicate” and “close the space” were part of the many instructions from the dugout, as spectators behind the dugout hearing the thoughts of the manager while the action is under way. The coach is fully involved, she is focused, the players are engaged, so where is the issue?

Concerning Numbers Reveal the Tale

After five matches and they have zero points, have conceded 16 goals and scored only two. They are capable of scoring though, five different goal scorers in a rout of Charlton in the League Cup on last month a brief respite from losses before the Blues scored three in 15 minutes last Sunday to return them in their place. Facing Chelsea West Ham performed decently for large parts, that quarter-hour calamitous spell was an outlier and, while many feared a complete after the break collapse, they regrouped, excelled with their under pressure, and let in just one additional goal to the title holders.

Steadiness across 90-plus has been a consistent issue. The opening stages and after halftime versus the Blues were periods to be pleased with, as was the opening 45 against Arsenal and second period facing the Seagulls.

Familiar Pattern Against Villa

Against Villa the story was repeated, the away side dominating possession in their home ground but West Ham having chances too, nine shots to their opponents’ eleven. They were in it in the first half, challenging, performing adequately to be able to take something from the game, the distinction though was that West Ham had just one attempt on goal, as compared to Villa’s four.

West Ham are not failing by their style, determination or coaching choices, they are failing by players not being clinical when they get in good positions. It is that choice-making in the final third that needs work, the five goals scored versus lower-league opponents Charlton may indicate the problem: when they have time on the ball they make the right moves, when they are being pressed and challenged by top-tier rivals it’s almost as if they struggle to make rapid decisions.

“In my view we were clinical enough in the final third and we just were missing that cutting edge where the final ball was at times a bit too strong, lacking the right quality and then just being prepared to take on shots a little bit earlier,” stated Skinner.

“Considering the individuals, when I observe them individually, it seems like they’re all a little bit hesitant relative to where we were previously. The desire to take on defenders and be quite assertive was really, really strong and we just must restore that aggression back where we’re a little bit more clinical 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 committing players and we’re trying to generate chances. This is an area that we’ve just sort of taken our foot off the gas a bit on and we’re looking for passes as instead of being a little bit more straightforward and being more confident in our own ability.”

Expensive Moments Result in Defeat

During the match that was damaging again. Shortly after a forward directed a header off target, they were punished at the opposite goal, Kirsty Hanson collecting her short corner back from Lynn Wilms before driving the ball into the far corner. Soon after and the visiting team had a bigger cushion, a player’s free-kick lobbed over the wall and in.

It was another tough afternoon for West Ham and their absence of results on the board will inevitably prompt questions being asked about Skinner’s position. This is completely unfair though. There is improvement to be made for sure, confidence and speed in choices must improve, and the players must bear a share of the blame for that, but they are a side that is struggling from a lack of support and attention from the club as a entirety, and Skinner is a victim of that rather than the architect of the team’s problems.

Wider Challenges at Play

This summer, several individuals departed and only four 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 best players to more successful sides. Before questions are raised about the manager’s reign, she merits a chance to show what she can do without constraints and that requires the team upping its game – and the same could be said for several women’s top-flight clubs.