West Ham Women Expert: Huge risk Hammers could spiral into oblivion if they suffer WSL drop
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…
West Ham “could spiral into oblivion” if they are relegated from the WSL this season after dropping to the bottom of the table on Monday.
That is the view of Michelle Irons, who has called on the players and manager Olli Harder to acknowledge the club is facing a “crisis”.
Harder’s side put in a spirited performance on Sunday but ultimately lost 2-0 to WSL leaders Chelsea at Victoria Road.
That defeat opened up a chance for Bristol City to move themselves off the bottom of the table when they played Reading at home.
Ebony Salmon’s 79th-minute goal earned the Vixens a 3-2 win and all three points to move themselves up to 11th, leapfrogging West Ham, who are now bottom albeit with a game in hand on their relegation rivals.
Michelle Irons is now concerned about the implications that relegation could have on the West Ham side.
“I’m totally devastated. We have some really good players and we play decent football. For that result to happen last night was just written in the stars,” she told West Ham Zone.
“After we recruited so well in the summer when Matt Beard was in charge, season ticket holders were excited and thought we would go on and really challenge this league.
“However, for us to be bottom of the WSL is upsetting and the players and the coach really have to acknowledge this as a crisis and grind out some results.”
On Monday, Daily Mail journalist Matt Hughes reported that the FA have agreed a deal for Sky Sports and BBC to broadcast live WSL matches next season.
With a stark reminder that relegation is possible for West Ham due to Bristol City’s win over Reading, Michelle Irons has called on the club to ensure the new deal is something they can benefit from.
She added: “It has been revealed that BBC and Sky Sports will be adding investment to show the matches live on their platforms – we can’t miss out on this.
“The damage that relegation could do to this club would be overwhelming as there is a huge risk that we could spiral into oblivion.
“I really fear that if it happens, we will not get the opportunity to be part of this growing population of women’s football fans.
“I have to say the network of season ticket holders that West Ham have are incredible and we would stay loyal but we wouldn’t be able to attract top players, foreign and young players to this brilliant club.”
In other West Ham news, Declan Rice was unhappy with the performance against Leeds despite winning.