As the opening weekend of the Barclays Women’s Super League 2024/25 season commences, West Ham United are set to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. The media heard from Rehanne Skinner, who said “We’re in a fantastic position to create a problem for them,” as her side gear up to face the Red Devils, and hope to start their campaign on a high.

Pushing for redemption after last season’s blunders, which saw them finish eleventh, the Irons are tasked first with competing against a tough opposition. Marc Skinner’s side are widely considered to be one of England’s top teams, and the West Ham United manager shared her thoughts on coming up against a recent frontrunner so early on in the season.

Looking ahead to the opener and beyond, she said “All we can really focus on, from my side of things, is trying to get the team right in the way that we’re trying to play, so that we’re teeing ourself up for for opportunities later on.”

Gorry commits to captaincy

Regarding team news, Skinner confirmed that Kirsty Smith is unavailable. The manager also pointed out the challenges that come with fielding recent signings. “We’ve got players that came in quite late in the window,” she continued “We’re still working on building up the tolerance.”

Katrina Gorry has been struggling with a viral infection this week, but The Halfway Line understands that she remains in contention for Skinner’s first lineup of the season. The dominant Australian midfielder was recently announced as West Ham’s captain, taking over the armband from her Matildas teammate and former West Ham goalkeeper, Mackenzie Arnold. Explaining the process behind this exciting decision, the manager said the key player has “Had a lot of experience, she’s been fantastic, you know, in terms of galvanising the group.”

Packing on the praise for the newly appointed skipper, Skinner went on “She’s very clear what West Ham is, and that’s what made her want to come here, and she’s very clear at delivering on that identity as well.”

Fostering a warm environment for newcomers

The summer’s transfer window was a busy one for the East London club. Despite bidding farewell to the likes of Hawa Cissoko, the Irons head coach has welcomed high-calibre players to sit among her ranks going forward. Additions to the changed West Ham United squad include exciting Colombian forward, Manuela Paví.

Paví is not the only new signing coming from overseas, and the head coach highlighted the importance of broader adjustments when it comes to this transitional period for players new to the Barclays Women’s Super League. “The off the pitch stuff is absolutely vital, where they’re living, how they’re getting food,” the manager elaborated, “People don’t talk about any of that stuff. But if that’s not right, it impacts players coming into the building and being able to focus on the football.”

Touching on her experience working with South American and Asian talent in particular, a passionate Skinner told the press “It’s a good test for me to bring those cultures together and for the players, to integrate everybody as well. And that diversity, I think, from all those different leagues, I think that adds quality to what we’re trying to achieve.”

ACL injuries an unresolved concern

With many positive changes having occurred since last season, West Ham United still have work to do before Skinner proves her quality in charge. Already, the former Tottenham Hotspur boss has been presented with challenges. Irish international Jessica Ziu sadly suffered her second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury only recently, meaning she will be absent from Skinner’s list for the foreseeable future.

The empathetic head coach provided a positive update on Ziu’s progress, confirming “She’s actually in a really good place at this point, post-surgery.” Commending the midfielder’s mindset, Skinner affirmed “She’s in good spirits. She’s very determined, because, despite it being the second time, she was quite clear on what she was going to do next and what she needed to do, having had that experience. So she’s a real positive character, Jess, and very, as I say, determined, so she’s not let it phase her.”

Concerns regarding the ACL crisis in women’s football remain current, and Skinner offered up a manager’s perspective on the issue. The West Ham United boss asserted “The calendar is still putting the players’ health at risk, and that’s still not fully been addressed properly.”

There continue to be question marks over the wider club backing for the women’s team, as West Ham United have not yet announced a fixture to be played at the London Stadium this season. Despite many other teams committing to the use of their main facilities, and an ever-evolving supporter presence for the Irons, Skinner’s home games will once again take place at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Looking forward to her London outfit’s trip to the theatre of Manchester, Skinner expressed faith in her squad’s focus in high-pressure situations, and stated “The more we talk about growing the game and everything, these are the things that we want to see more.”

Drawing further on the launch of the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) and citing her own dedication to expanding the women’s game, Skinner reiterated “We obviously want to keep increasing the coverage, increase the broadcast, that enables us to increase the investment. And that’s the biggest thing that’s going to change landscape now for the game.”

West Ham United will kick off against Manchester United on Saturday (12:00 BST). With the season getting swiftly underway, the match will be available to watch on YouTube.