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West Ham cannot be considered a poor side, far from it. There is skill in their roster, and determination. It is evident in every tackle, every gut-busting run and in the disappointed body language when a pass doesn’t quite come off. That energy is mirrored on the touchline, with the manager vocal during their 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa – “hold the line”, “tighten up”, “talk to her” and “close the space” were part of the numerous commands from the dugout, as spectators behind the dugout hearing the thoughts of the manager while the match is in progress. The coach is fully involved, she is focused, the players are committed, so where is the issue?

Concerning Statistics Tell the Story

Five games in and they have no points, have let in sixteen goals and scored 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 scored three in 15 minutes last weekend to put them firmly back in their position. Against the Blues the Hammers weren’t bad for large parts, that 15 minute calamitous spell was an outlier and, while supporters worried about a total after the break collapse, they regrouped, thrived with their backs against the wall, and only conceded one more to the title holders.

Steadiness across 90-plus has been a ongoing issue. The opening stages and second half against Chelsea were periods to be proud of, as was the first half versus the Gunners and second period facing the Seagulls.

Familiar Story Against Villa

In the match with Villa the story was repeated, the visiting team 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, challenging, playing well enough to be able to earn a result from the game, the distinction though was that the home side had only a single attempt on goal, as opposed to Villa’s four.

West Ham are not failing by their approach, determination or coaching choices, they are being let down by individuals not being clinical when they get in good positions. This is that decision making in the attacking zone that needs work, the five goals netted against WSL2 side Charlton may indicate the issue: when they have time on the ball they make the right moves, when they are under pressure and challenged by top-tier opposition it’s as though they find it hard to think quickly enough.

“In my view we were clinical enough in the attacking area and we just were missing that cutting edge where the last pass was sometimes a bit over hit, not quite the right quality and then just needing to attempt efforts a little bit earlier,” said the manager.

“Considering the players, when I observe them individually, I just feel like they’re somewhat reluctant compared 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 aggression back where we’re a 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 sending attackers forward and we’re attempting to create opportunities. This is an area that we’ve just sort of taken our foot off the gas a little bit on and we’re seeking assists as opposed to being a more straightforward and being more confident in our own skills.”

Expensive Instances Lead to Loss

On Sunday afternoon that was costly again. Moments after a forward glanced a header wide, they were punished at the opposite goal, Kirsty Hanson collecting her short corner back from Lynn Wilms before lashing the shot into the opposite side. Soon after and the visiting team had a bigger cushion, Wilms’s free-kick lifted over the defensive line and in.

It was a further tough day for West Ham and their absence of points on the board will certainly lead to questions being asked about the manager’s position. That would be wholly unfair though. Much improvement to be done for sure, self-belief and quickness in decision making must improve, and the squad must bear a share of the blame for that, but they are a team that is struggling from a lack of support and attention from the organization as a entirety, and the coach is a victim of that as opposed to the architect of the team’s problems.

Broader Issues at Play

During the off-season, nine players departed and just a handful arrived. The standard of those coming in in this window was possibly better in general, but a limited funds has resulted in that year after year the club have lost their top talents to better teams. Before questions are asked 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 a number of women’s top-flight clubs.