West Ham United Ladies General Manager Karen Ray has called on the side’s ‘special players’ to stand up and be counted in this weekend’s clash with Cardiff.
The Hammers return to league action on Sunday with a difficult test away to the south Wales side, but head into the game on the back of a 6-0 Cup win away to Brislington Ladies.
In their last league outing West Ham could only collect a draw at home to Gillingham, and Ray wants to see more from the Club’s top stars, suggesting that competition for places in her team is at its highest ever standard.
“Cardiff is going to be a difficult place to travel to, they have strengthened their squad and we will have to be at our best to get a result,” Ray told whufc.com. “There is no denying we have some special players, and we need them to produce for us on Sunday.
Cardiff is going to be a difficult place to travel to, they have strengthened their squad and we will have to be at our best to get a result
Karen Ray
“We probably have the most competitive squad we’ve ever had at the moment, and our own standards have improved substantially.”
Ray wants her side to show tenacity and passion in this weekend’s match, having previously called for her team to offer more on the offensive.
High energy will be crucial, according to the interim head coach, in order to get the three points.
Ray continued: “After a great week of training and a convincing win at Brislington I am confident if the players apply themselves on the day we can pick up points.
“Dominating the ball, being creative in the final third and performing well will breed wins for us, it is key we show energy and pride in our performance against a heavily improved Cardiff.”
The General Manager has also expressed her delight at the development of a number of the Club’s Academy prospects, hinting that some younger players are now knocking on the door of the first team.
“There is a fresh buzz around the Club at the moment, development squad players are really starting to fight for a spot in the first team and it is reflected in the intensity of training this week. I’m really proud of the players, it is difficult to go through a change in the middle of the season but they have shown fantastic mentality and character.”