West Ham United Women’s boss Paul Konchesky is hoping to see his side get back to winning ways but knows that they are in for a tough test when they face Everton this Sunday at Walton Hall Park.
The Hammers are about to play their second Barclays Women’s Super League fixture since returning from the festive break and having pushed Manchester City all the way in a 1-0 defeat at Chigwell Construction Stadium last weekend, Konchesky is hoping that his side can turn that positive performance into three points this time around.
And with a packed schedule to come, which includes games across the WSL, Continental Tyres League Cup and Vitality Women’s FA Cup, the boss recognises the importance of carrying momentum into a run of matches that could massively shape the team’s season.
It’s another tough match in the Barclays Women’s Super League
I know it may sound like a broken record, but it really is the truth when we say that there isn’t an easy game in this division – that’s why so many of the world’s best players are playing in England and why almost everyone wants to come over and play here.
Our aim is still to keep plugging away at the gap between us and the top teams, as well as continue moving up the table. A win over Everton would cement our position as the best of the rest if you like, so we know that it’s a really important game.
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We’ve got a couple of little knocks within the squad at the moment
We’ve got the one long-term injury in Jess Ziu – but she’s been able to travel with us earlier this week to Brighton and I think it’s good to keep those that are on the sidelines integrated with the players that are healthy.
Unfortunately, Amber Tysiak picked up a knock in her second training session after we announced her signature. We’re hoping that she won’t be out for too long and she’s working hard with our medical team to get back fit and available for selection.
Abbey-Leigh Stringer missed our game against Brighton in the Conti Cup as a precaution. She too had a little knock that we didn’t want to risk, but we’re hopeful that she will be involved on Sunday.
Everton have looked good under Brian Sørensen
They’ve obviously made a lot of improvements when you look at where they were this time last season. They look much better going forward than last year, and we need to be wary of that this weekend.
It’s also a chance for us to do the double over them, which is something that the Club hasn’t done since it entered the WSL, so there’s a little added incentive to get the three points.
It’s going to be a tough, but important week or so for us
We’ve got a really jam-packed schedule over the next week, which is heightened further when you consider the travel that will go into all of those fixtures.
We’ve got a small squad at the moment, which also adds another dimension to that challenge if you like – but I have full faith in the team to come through all of these matches and pick up the results that we all want.
We’re in the market for the right players if they become available
As I’ve said before, as much as you think you’re doing okay, you want to bring in players who can help the team climb higher in the table.
It’s always tough in January to bring players in, but myself and the backroom team are working hard to try and bring the right players into the building that will add something to the group that we already have.
We’re hopeful of having one player signed on the dotted line in the very near future.
We’re incredibly grateful for the support that we get at these away fixtures
It’s incredible to see the Hammers that follow us up and down the country, and I hope that they feel appreciated by myself, the staff and the players.
It’s tough being on the road and not having the numbers behind us, but having those pockets of West Ham fans singing their songs and cheering for us is a boost.
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