Guardian writers' predicted place: eleventh (NB: this isn't essentially Sophie Downey's prediction however the common of our writers' suggestions)
Final season's place: ninth
Prospects
Consistency and stability have been core parts of West Ham's low season as Rehanne Skinner hopes to construct on the progress her aspect made final marketing campaign. After taking time to seek out their toes with constructive performances not at all times matching their outcomes, the Hammers went on an unbeaten run that stored them within the image for fifth place. Ultimately, they completed simply 5 factors off Brighton who claimed that spot.
Their flip in fortunes very a lot got here with the return of Shekiera Martinez from her mortgage spell at Freiburg. The 24-year-old spearheaded the attacking line, creating a relationship with the influential Viviane Asseyi, who loved certainly one of her finest seasons in east London. In 12 appearances, Martinez scored 10 objectives and completed simply two under joint Golden Boot winners Bunny Shaw and Alessia Russo with a shot conversion charge of 32%.
The Germany ahead shall be integral as soon as once more this season and the membership's potential to carry on to her and most of Skinner's most well-liked 15 gamers was essential over the summer time. Whereas there have been vital outgoings with gamers reminiscent of Dagny Brynjarsdóttir, Shannon Cooke and Kirsty Smith departing, the bulk have been on the fringes with restricted sport time.
One concern would be the comparatively few variety of signings which have been made this window. Yu Endo brings expertise to the again line whereas the Wales worldwide Ffion Morgan has proved her expertise after 4 years at Bristol Metropolis. Sarah Brasero , introduced in from Estoril, and Leila Wandeler, who arrives from Lyon, are thrilling kids at a key stage of their growth as footballers.
A pre-season tour to Prague supplied useful preparation for the marketing campaign forward. That was adopted by a win over Liverpool and loss to Arsenal in readiness for an opening-day derby at Tottenham, a sport that has historically proved to be entertaining and aggressive.
The supervisor
Skinner is getting into her third season on the membership and is beginning to see the rewards of her rebuild. Earlier than final season, she introduced up the difficulty of short-term contracts resulting in excessive participant turnover and the membership have responded. Trustworthy along with her gamers and keen to talk about wider points within the sport, she has labored to construct an industrious staff that's good in possession and at all times trying to assault. Good recruitment has introduced in Katrina Gorry, Manuela Pavi and Martinez, all of whom have helped the staff progress.
Off-field image
West Ham are in talks to promote a stake of their girls's staff to Monarch Collective, the world's largest female-dedicated sport fund. The personal fairness group, which is hoping to purchase 49% of the membership – valued at round £55m – and has a powerful historical past of investing in NWSL golf equipment. The Hammers' present possession would retain a controlling curiosity. Ought to the deal undergo, extra cash for the enjoying squad could be prioritised, one thing that has been missing lately, as properly discovering an answer to the London Stadium subject. The membership are the one WSL staff to not maintain any fixtures at their essential stadium attributable to rental prices.
Star signing
Endo won't be a reputation many WSL followers would have heard of earlier than her signing for West Ham however the 27-year-old brings along with her a wealth of expertise. The Japan full-back made the transfer to England after 9 years with Urawa Reds the place she made 171 appearances. She helped the Saitama aspect acquire promotion to the W-League in 2020 earlier than happening to win back-to-back league titles and lifting the 2023 AFC Ladies's Membership Championship trophy. Technical, tenacious and constant, she additionally has the flexibility to play in the course of the park.
after publication promotion
Stepping up
The 20-year-old Sarah Brasero earned her WSL transfer this summer time, signing a three-year take care of the membership. The England teen arrived from Estoril after a season enjoying in Portugal's prime division. A inventive and diligent midfielder, she began her profession at Ipswich earlier than shifting to Lewes. She has performed for England at under-19 and under-23 degree, making the step as much as Emma Coates's under-23 aspect in direction of the top of 2024.
It was summer time for …
Leila Wandeler was one of many thrilling younger abilities that performed a task in Pia Sundhage's Switzerland squad at this yr's European Championship. The 19-year-old made three appearances from the bench for her nation who went on a historic quarter-final run. Experiencing a house Euros could have been massively memorable for the ahead, who made her transfer to West Ham from Lyon in August. “It was loopy, wonderful,” she instructed membership media. “I couldn't consider it at first as a result of I hadn't actually been within the nationwide staff that a lot … The video games have been so wonderful, I had chills each time I noticed the Switzerland followers.”
Primary initiative to draw extra followers
The ladies's staff proceed to play at Dagenham & Redbridge's Chigwell Building Stadium and tickets are on sale for his or her first 5 matches, residence and away. The membership have been gathering suggestions concerning the offering coach journey for away fixtures.
