Rehanne Skinner says that West Ham United women’s team have a fantastic opportunity to continue building momentum and spread minutes throughout the squad in Wednesday’s Women’s League Cup fixture with Portsmouth.
The Hammers are about to play their third competitive fixture of the new season, and head into the clash with Portsmouth in high spirits after coming back to draw with Liverpool in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday.
Olivia Smith had put the Reds ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, but Riko Ueki would score late on, her third goal in as many matches against Liverpool to share the spoils at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Skinner’s side are back in action in Dagenham, this time in their first group stage fixture in the League Cup.
Group C also contains London City Lionesses and Southampton, and the manager has stated that she would like to see her side continue to move in a positive direction and build momentum ahead of returning to WSL action against Manchester City on Sunday 6 October.
Speaking after the draw with Liverpool, Skinner explained why it will be important for players that have yet to be involved in league action so far this season to get some minutes out on the pitch in the cup clash.
“It’s definitely important,” the manager explained. “Giving players an opportunity will help us prepare even better for Manchester City at the end of the week if we’re able to spread the minutes accordingly.
“Ultimately, we’ve got players that we still need to get out on the pitch, and we’ve got some young players that are coming through as well that we’d like to try and get out there.
“It’s important that we do that so that everyone in the squad understands the way that we’re trying to play and gets an opportunity to show that and compete for places ahead of the Manchester City game.”
Whilst on paper, Group C may look like an easier group to navigate due to all three of West Ham’s opponents being from the division below, Skinner knows that the teams will be out to cause an upset and that her side has to be ready for three competitive fixture.
“In Portsmouth, London City Lionesses and Southampton, we have strong sides in our Women’s League Cup group from the division below. It’s important that we aim for maximum points from this fixture to make a strong start, but to also continue building momentum ahead of our return to WSL action.
“Portsmouth achieved promotion into the second-tier last season, and we know we’re going to come up against a hard-working outfit tonight. Whilst results haven’t been going their way so far this season, we expect them to enter this game like every other, wanting to get a result and kickstart their season. So, we will need to start positively and be at our best throughout to come away with a win,” she concluded.
