The highs and lows of West Ham’s Transfer Window

The Hammers lost many important figures this window including their manager, Paul Konchesky, and England international Lucy Parker.

The first bit of business West Ham did was to find a new manager who would be a part of the growth of their project.

Back in March they got three new directors who are Baroness Karen Brady, Tara Warren and Nicola Keye. When they joined the first thing they made clear was that over the next few seasons, they want to build a team that can fight for European Football.

The manager appointed to start this process was Rehanne Skinner. She previously managed Spurs whilst also managing Leicester. She has experience in the England and Wales youth sides in her career. Skinner was at arch-rivals Tottenham for 3 years but with her experience in the WSL many people around the club believe she is the right person for the job.

The one big issue Skinner was faced with early on was the amount of outgoings at the club. These included Lucy Parker, Kate Longhurst, Grace Fisk, Sophie Hillyerd and Brook Cains, whilst club captain Dagny Brynjarsdottir was sent out on loan for a long period.

With this happening Skinner made a few signings late on which included strikers Riko Ueki and Emma Harries, and Irish defender Jessie Stapleton. To round out the squad, she has promoted a few players to the first team, offering new contracts out to Mel Filis, Halle Houssein and Abbey Stringer. It has recently been confirmed that Houssein will be spending the season on loan at Championship side Reading.

Even though Skinner’s side lost five first-team players and only managed to bring in three, these players may fit her model better. But will the Hammers struggle with the lack of depth as the season goes on?

Their first game of the season is a huge test for West Ham with Manchester City making the journey down to London on Sunday 1st October.