Paul Konchesky has tasked West Ham United Women with ending the 2022/23 campaign with a big performance against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Irons welcome Spurs to Chigwell Construction Stadium on Satuday for the season finale, with tickets still available for the 2.30pm BST kick-off here!
Konchesky’s side head into this weekend’s game on the back of a 2-1 win away to Leicester City on Sunday and the manager is keen for his team to keep their momentum high and conclude the season in the best possible way.
“It’s a London derby against our big rivals and we’re at home, so we want to put on a show and finish the season on a high,” he told whufc.com.
“The second half of the season hasn’t been what we wanted it to be but beating Leicester City last week has given us a boost and put a really good feeling amongst the group. That’s the feeling we want to take into Saturday’s game and hopefully we can end the season with another three points.”
Victory over the Foxes at the King Power Stadium was the team’s first league win this calendar year, bringing an end to a disappointing run of form in 2023 for the Hammers after a brilliant start to the campaign.
Konchesky knows what three points can do to the morale and spirit in the group and has been thrilled with the positivity shown in training all week.
“I could see it straight after the Leicester game. The players, in the dressing room, on the pitch and on the coach home, they were all smiles. Wins give people a big lift and, to be honest, it was probably a weight off all our shoulders because it was a long time coming.
“The girls have taken that into this week. We’ve had a really good week training. We know what we’re expecting from Saturday and it doesn’t come any bigger for us than playing Tottenham at home.”
Similarly, Tottenham ended a disappointing run of form with a victory last weekend, beating Reading 4-1 to secure their own status in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The winner of Saturday’s game will finish above the other in the final league table and, with clear, early-Summer conditions expected, Konchesky is anticipating a competitive and enjoyable afternoon of action.
“Tottenham won’t be easy,” he added. "They’re coming off a really good win as well. Their season probably hasn’t gone the way they thought it might so, in that regard, it’s going to be two teams who wanted to do better in the league this weekend.
“Hopefully we can be the better team on Saturday and end the season with three points.
“It’ll be a fantastic day. The supporters have been with us all year, through thick and thin, and I know they will be on Saturday too. It’s our final game of the season, hopefully the sun will be shining, and there’s plenty to play for.
“We’d love to get that win and end the campaign on the best note possible.”
