West Ham United endured a precarious season in the Barclays Women’s Super League, having wrapped up their league campaign in eleventh position, nine points clear of relegation.

After strengthening in the winter window and welcoming several additions to Dagenham, the Irons began to see the results on the scoresheet. Though the turn of the year could only provide enough respite to lift the side out of the drop zone and no further, as the Irons finish their campaign three positions lower than the season of last.

Regression in the League

The Irons wrapped up their 2022/23 campaign occupying eighth position on the league table, after six wins across the season saw them sit in a comfortable position above the drop zone. Having solidified themselves as a mid-table side in the season prior (6th place finish), the Irons would look to further their leaps amidst the highly competitive top-flight table.

Though the narrative was far from desirable this time around, as the Irons were made to wait four weeks before garnering a point to their table tally; having faced three consecutive defeats before finding a draw with Liverpool in the fourth weekend of league play. Though rise was not on the agenda for the Irons, as they then fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of a now relegated Bristol City to award the Robins their first and only victory in the top flight.

Six draws and three wins later, and the Irons now conclude their 2023/24 campaign trailing their season of last by a margin of six points. Much is to be said in regards to the competition of the top-flight continue to rise exponentially, but for a club like West Ham United, the proximity of the drop zone raises concern for the Hammers.

The Winter Window and Striking Down the Gunners

The bulk of the points were gathered after the turn of the year, as a busy transfer window saw the Irons sign on the experienced talent of Katrina Gorry, US international Kristie Mewis, as well as young Swedish talent, Marika Bergman-Lundin. Shelina Zadorsky also made the move to East London from Tottenham Hotspur, on a loan spell for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

The strengthening catalysed an immediate change in Dagenham, as the closing of the window saw the Irons turned their attention toward a clash with Arsenal at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Having never fallen to defeat at the hands of the claret and blue, it was certain that Jonas Eidevall’s North London army were the sure favourites entering the clash.

Though the script did not play out as planned, as second-half finishes from Viviane Asseyi and Hawa Cissoko saw the Irons make up the deficit to register their first ever victory over the Gunners in their WSL history. The impact of the winter window signings was instant, as Katrina Gorry patrolled the midfield with authority to allow her side the chance to find a breakthrough in Dagenham.

The Summer Ahead

As the impact of an assertive window in the transfer market deemed to be clear for the Irons as they concluded their league campaign, the upcoming summer window is all the more important for West Ham United if they want to progress in the turn of the new season.

Rehanne Skinner signed on with the Irons in the latter stages of the summer, meaning that the West Ham manager wasn’t permitted the time to assess the club’s playing options across the course of the entire window. With the summer approaching, and Skinner now aware of what is to come, the Irons boss made it clear that progress will be made in Dagenham:

“If you look at the teams that have been successful in this league, how many years has it taken them to get their squad right? It does take time, and obviously it’s important for us to keep adding value to the squad and improving the balance within it.

That’s a whole big piece that we need to get right as a football club. This window is really only my second proper window, because of how late I came in in August. So this one will help us to move things forward, and get things ready for next year.”

Though not all is positive for the Irons as they approach the respite of the transfer window, as reports from Emma Sanders (BBC) suggest the high likelihood of Risa Shimizu’s departure, after recent interest from Manchester City. There will be several holes to fill as the turn of the season approaches, if the Irons look in any form to improve.

London (Stadium) Calling

As the Barclays Women’s Super League continues to break through the glass ceilings, popularity and spectatorship perseveres along with it. Arsenal Football Club had particular success this season, as they registered back-to-back sell outs at Emirates Stadium, before announcing that eleven fixtures are set to be hosted in N5 in 2024/25.

Eleven of the twelve sides in the Barclays Women’s Super League saw at least one of their home fixtures hosted by the club’s main stadium throughout the 2023/24 campaign. The only outlier- West Ham United.

As the crowds coming through the turnstiles of Chigwell Construction Stadium continued to rise, the lack of backing from the club when exploring the prospect of London Stadium playing host to a Women’s Team fixture proved nothing short of disappointing.

As each side was boosted with the ticket sales on their respective big day out, West Ham United registered the lowest attendance average across the Barclays WSL all season- 1,892.

“I think that’s obviously the plan for the club, and that’s something we’ve talked about. So hopefully we are in a position to do that next year” said manager Rehanne Skinner after Sunday’s final league game.