West Ham United: Women’s expert reacts to defeat v Man City
West Ham Women’s expert Michelle Irons has provided her reaction to the defeat to Manchester City Women on the opening day of the WSL season on 1 October.
The Hammers hosted the Citizens at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road, with the visitors coming away with a 2-0 victory despite having Leila Ouahabi sent off in the second half.
Irons believes both of the goals from Lauren Hemp and Jill Roord could have been prevented, but that it was an “expected defeat” against a side that are “miles in front” of the East Londoners.
“New boss Rehanne Skinner brought in Japanese international Riko Ueki and she started with her compatriots Hayashi and Shimizu in the starting eleven,” Irons exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“I will be expecting lots of goals from Ueki this season as she’s very flexible, a dynamic player and gets into some lovely spaces. Considering Dagny will be unavailable this season, Ueki was a very important signing for us on deadline day.
“West Ham, considering Dagny’s absence, have a change of captain and rightly so with an excellent choice in Mackenzie Arnold. She was in action early in the game, defending a few corners and using her experience in organising the back four.
“City maintained good pressure early as expected but West Ham were tight and fluid in their counter pressure. It’s certainly not easy to score against City but West Ham had some time down the wing on a few occasions with Smith whipping in a few crosses, which unfortunately is where you need a player with a height advantage like Dagny.
“Within the 15–25-minute bracket of play, West Ham played some lovely, free-flowing football with a great range of passing, which tested City and their defence, who had to be alert as Asseyi was looking bright. Ueki could have put the home side ahead, but the ball just barely skimmed her head after another sweet cross by Kirsty Smith. Riko looked sharp and ready to pounce. A solid half but still a long way to go.
“Ueki started the second half as she left off with a ball that fell into her path, but the City keeper Keating got down to make a save. Unfortunately, this didn’t upset City at all as they weaved their way into our box and Hemp used the space to put a strike into the corner of the net. A seasoned international with heaps of experience, Hemp is going to take advantage of that space. Very disappointed that we didn’t deal with that better.
“As with any top team, City took advantage and quickly won a penalty but Arnold made a fantastic save. City’s second goal was soon after as Jill Roord left Shannon Cooke for dead just outside the area and made no mistake in slotting past a diving Arnold.
“I believe both goals could have been prevented if we could have got a bit tighter, but City are great at utilising space. Overall, an expected defeat as City are miles in front of a club like West Ham in terms of development and quality. Having said that, we have made some good additions to our team this season, with Riko and Emma Harries coming in to bolster the attack.”
In other West Ham news, one player must improve after her performance against Man City.