West Ham Women Expert: Fisk must be dropped, Cissoko to start instead v Chelsea
We’re delighted to welcome Michelle Irons as our exclusive West Ham Women’s expert. Each week she’ll be giving her views on the biggest talking points at Victoria Road…
Olli Harder needs to drop Grace Fisk and play Hawa Cissoko in the West Ham defence in order to alleviate pressure on “talented” goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, according to Michelle Irons.
Fisk, 23, has been an ever-present for the Hammers this season, appearing in all 13 of the club’s WSL matches and playing every single minute.
However, the Bromley-born defender has struggled to impress and our West Ham Women’s expert claims it’s now time for 23-year-old French ace Cissoko to get her chance to shine when they play Chelsea at Dagenham’s Victoria Road on Sunday.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Michelle Irons said: “It’s been almost a month since we last played in the 1-0 loss to Brighton and that was yet another match which we should have won.
“Unfortunately, we’re not good enough at the back and ship too many poor goals. That puts a lot of pressure on our very talented keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
“I’ve been calling for a change at the back with Fisk being replaced by Cissoko but the manager seems to be sticking to the partnership of [Gilly] Flaherty and Fisk.
“That’s pretty much the only change I’d like to see as our forward players are very good.
“I hate to say it, but I can’t see any progress coming up against Chelsea. They are a very organised, hard-working team.”
Harder’s team are currently 11th in the WSL, just two points clear of bottom-placed Bristol City.
According to stats by FBRef, West Ham have an xGA (expected goals against) figure of 22.8, which is far better than what sixth-placed Reading [26.8] have.
However, when it comes to actual goals conceded, only two teams have shipped as many goals as the Hammers [30], who are conceding way more than they probably should be.
Despite having the third-worst defence in the WSL, Harder’s side has attempted the third-fewest number of tackles [269] and ranks second-worst for the number of blocks attempted [213].
It’s clear to see that the defence isn’t performing as well as it should be so it could be that a change in personnel is in order.
Australia international Arnold is doing her job in goals with only three other goalkeepers making more saves then her 49.
However, she cannot be solely relied upon to keep this West Ham side in the WSL and Cissoko could be worth a shot.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie admits Grady Diangana’s summer exit hasn’t made much of a difference at the London Stadium.