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West Ham cannot be considered a bad team, not by any means. There is talent in their squad, and determination. It is evident in every tackle, every gut-busting run and in the frustrated gestures when a ball fails to connect. This intensity is matched on the touchline, with Rehanne Skinner vocal throughout their loss to the visitors – “maintain shape”, “come closer”, “communicate” and “close the space” were part of the many commands from the dugout, with those behind the bench hearing the views of the coach while the match is under way. Skinner is fully involved, she is engaged, the squad are engaged, so where is the issue?

Worrying Numbers Tell the Tale

After five matches and they have no points, have conceded 16 goals and scored twice. They are capable of scoring though, five different goal scorers in a 5-1 defeat of Charlton in the League Cup on 24 September a momentary relief from defeat before Chelsea scored three in 15 minutes last weekend to put them firmly back in their position. Facing Chelsea the Hammers performed decently for large parts, that 15 minute calamitous spell was an exception and, while supporters worried about a complete second half collapse, they recovered, thrived with their under pressure, and only conceded one more to the champions.

Steadiness across 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 opening 45 versus the Gunners and closing 45 against Brighton.

Familiar Pattern Against Villa

In the match with Villa the narrative was familiar, the visiting team dominating possession in Dagenham but West Ham having chances too, nine shots to their opponents’ eleven. They competed in the opening period, competing, performing adequately to be able to earn a result from the match, the difference though was that West Ham had just one shot on target, as opposed to Villa’s four.

West Ham are not being let down by their approach, grit or coaching choices, they are being let down by players not being clinical when they find scoring opportunities. This is that decision making in the attacking zone that requires improvement, the five strikes netted against lower-league opponents Charlton may indicate the issue: when they have time on the ball they choose correctly, when they are under pressure and challenged by top-tier rivals it’s almost as if they struggle to think quickly enough.

“I don’t think we were clinical enough in the attacking area and we just were missing that decisive quality where the final ball was at times a bit over hit, lacking the necessary precision and then just needing to attempt efforts a little bit earlier,” stated Skinner.

“Based on the individuals, when I’m watching them individually, I just feel like they’re all a little bit hesitant compared to where we were before. The willingness to run at people and be very direct was extremely high and we just must restore that aggression back where we’re a more ruthless in and around the penalty area, where we are a bit braver to go 1v1 and where what will be will be but we’re committing players and we’re attempting 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 seeking assists as instead of being a little bit more direct and being more self-assured in our own ability.”

Costly Instances Lead to Defeat

On Sunday afternoon that was costly again. Shortly after Viviane Asseyi directed a header wide, they were made to pay at the other end, an opponent collecting her set-piece back from Lynn Wilms before lashing the shot into the far corner. Soon after and Natalia Arroyo’s side had a larger lead, a player’s set-piece lifted over the wall and in.

This proved a further tough afternoon for West Ham and their absence of results on the board will inevitably lead to doubts arising about Skinner’s future. This is completely unjust though. There is work to be done for sure, confidence and speed in decision making must improve, and the squad must bear a share of the blame for that, but they are a side that is struggling from a shortage of support and attention from the organization as a whole, and Skinner is a victim of that rather than the architect of the team’s struggles.

Broader Challenges at Play

During the off-season, nine players left and only four arrived. The standard of those joining in this window was possibly better overall, but a tight budget has meant that year after year West Ham have lost their best players to more successful sides. Before questions are asked about the manager’s reign, she deserves a chance to show what she can do unhindered and that means the team upping its game – and the identical could be said for several women’s top-flight clubs.