The Hammers start off their campaign at home to Manchester City on Sunday.
As much as it won’t be easy they will try and start the opening week with a win. The squad will be completely different than the team they fielded in this fixture last season so hopefully it can bring a different result. Last time West Ham played Manchester City they lost, 6-2.
Five players left the Hammers at the end of the season, including club legend Kate Longhurst and England international Lucy Parker. With majority of the players who left being defenders, it was a must that West Ham searched to cover that area. They have signed Irish defender Jessie Stapleton to cover their Centre Back issues, whilst also adding Japanese international Riko Ueki to their attack force.
In the Summer window, West Ham also changed management and have brought in former Tottenham manager, Rehanne Skinner after losing Paul Konchesky at the end of the season. Skinner has managed in the top flight of women’s football for many years now and West Ham’s new directors Karen Brady, Tara Warren and Nicola Keye and the board believe she is right for the job to push them to the European places.
The Hammers have recently given the captains armband to Australian international, Mackenzie Arnold due to Dagny Brynjarsdóttir being about for a long period of time. Arnold was a key player for West Ham last season and continued her form and leadership qualities throughout Australia’s World Cup campaign and has rightfully be given the captains role for the season. Centre-back Hawa Cissoko has been given the vice captain's role.
With the Hammers also having to play Chelsea away in their first few games of the season, hopefully they can start off their campaign with a win against City, that can help them fulfil their goals this season.
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