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The Hammers cannot be considered a bad side, not by any means. There is talent in their squad, and desire. You can see it in each challenge, each exhausting sprint and in the disappointed body language when a pass doesn’t quite come off. That energy is mirrored on the touchline, with the manager animated throughout their 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa – “maintain shape”, “come closer”, “communicate” and “close the space” are among the numerous instructions from the dugout, as spectators behind the bench treated to the thoughts of the coach while the match is in progress. The coach is in it, she is engaged, the squad are committed, so what is not working?

Concerning Numbers Reveal the Story

Five games in and they have zero points, have conceded sixteen goals and netted twice. They are capable of scoring though, five individual scorers in a rout of Charlton in the League Cup on last month a momentary relief from defeat before Chelsea put three past them in a quarter-hour last Sunday to return them in their place. Facing Chelsea the Hammers weren’t bad for large parts, that quarter-hour disastrous period was an outlier and, while many feared a complete after the break meltdown, they recovered, thrived with their under pressure, and only conceded one more to the title holders.

Steadiness over 90-plus has been a consistent problem. The opening stages and after halftime versus the Blues were periods to be pleased with, as was the first half versus the Gunners and closing 45 against Brighton.

Recurring Pattern Versus the Opponents

In the match with Villa the narrative was repeated, the away side dominating possession in their home ground but the Hammers creating opportunities too, nine shots to their opponents’ eleven. They competed in the first half, challenging, performing adequately to be able to earn a result from the match, the difference though was that the home side had only a single shot on target, as compared to Villa’s four.

The team are not failing by their style, determination or coaching choices, they are failing by individuals not being clinical when they find good positions. It is that decision making in the final third that needs work, the five strikes scored versus WSL2 side their cup foes perhaps points to the issue: 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 almost as if they struggle to make rapid decisions.

“I don’t think we were sharp enough in the attacking area and we just lacked that cutting edge where the final ball was at times a bit too strong, not quite the right quality and then just being prepared to take on shots a sooner,” said Skinner.

“Considering the players, when I observe them one by one, it seems like they’re somewhat reluctant relative to where we were before. The desire to run at people and be very direct was extremely high and we just need to get that fight back where we’re a little bit more clinical in and around the box, 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 create opportunities. This is an area that we’ve just somewhat eased up a bit on and we’re seeking assists as instead of being a more direct and being more self-assured in our own ability.”

Costly Moments Result in Defeat

During the match that was costly again. Shortly after a forward directed a header wide, they were made to pay at the other end, Kirsty Hanson receiving her short corner back from Lynn Wilms before driving the ball into the opposite side. Seven minutes later and Natalia Arroyo’s side had a larger lead, a player’s free-kick lobbed over the defensive line and in.

It was another tough day for West Ham and their lack of results on the board will inevitably lead to doubts being asked about Skinner’s future. This is wholly unfair though. There is work to be made for sure, confidence and quickness in choices must improve, and the squad must take some responsibility for that, but they are a side that is having difficulties from a shortage of support and attention from the club as a entirety, and the coach is a casualty of that rather than the cause of the squad’s struggles.

Wider Challenges at Play

This summer, several individuals departed and only four came in. The quality of those coming in in this window was possibly higher in general, but a tight budget has resulted in that season-on-season West Ham have seen depart their best players to better teams. Prior to doubts are raised about the manager’s reign, she deserves a opportunity to demonstrate what she can do without constraints and that means the club improving its support – and the same applies for a number of women’s top-flight clubs.