West Ham United women's team manager Rehanne Skinner was pleased with what she saw from her team in their 3-0 victory over Bristol City on Sunday.
In their latest pre-season outing, the Irons turned on the style in the second half at Chigwell Construction Stadium, with Viviane Asseyi scoring all three goals in the victory.
Skinner was in the home dugout for the first time as the team took to their home turf in pre-season.
Her side started to play with confidence after a testing first 25 minutes, and in truth, Asseyi probably should have scored in the first 45 minutes after missing a number of good chances.
However, in the second half, the France international found her target, scoring three well-taken goals. Her third especially, a bicycle kick in the 90th minute topped off a fantastic afternoon in east London.
Skinner reflected on the performance of her team at the full-time whistle...
I was really pleased with the application of the players
In the first 25 minutes, we were too costly in possession and we gave it away too much because we didn't have enough movement for how we are trying to play.
The water break just before the 30 minute-mark came at a really good time for us. We were able to talk through being a little bit more patient, building with more quality and trying to create more effective chances in behind.
We created some good chances in the first half and we just lacked that clinical touch - but it was really positive that we were able to create those clear-cut moments.
Then in the second half, we had players coming off the bench that made a real impact and we were able to take our chances.
So I want to give the players real credit for being patient, working it out and trying to dominate and control possession in a way that we're really trying to do more effectively moving forward.
Viv was superb today and should have had more goals
I think that we showed real patience in a way that allowed us to start moving off the front line more effectively, we just gave ourselves more options and it allowed us to play with more quality and thought.
Vivi took her chances really well, I mean the third goal is an absolute stunner - if she does that in the WSL then it will be up for Goal of the Season!
In credit to her, she did something very similar in a training game that we played on Friday, so she was teeing herself up for that today.
The build up was really good as well, Emma [Harries] did well to set her up and then Lisa [Evans] had a really positive impact when she came onto the pitch as well.
It was a really tough day weather wise for the players, so all credit to them, it was a really positive day.
Since I've come through the door, the players have been really open minded
Our style of play will stay the same, but we might tweak formations, which will mean we will have to stay open minded and flexible.
Since I've come in the players have wanted to learn, been willing to adjust and I think you're starting to see that out on the pitch. I want our players to have confidence in their ability on the ball and I think we're growing in confidence with every game that we play.
We want to be able to play the game in the way that I feel is the best way of playing and by being patient and playing with confidence, we've ended up winning the game by doing that.
We've also been able to show today that there's depth in the squad and that we've got a couple of options in terms of being able to manoeuvre people around. That will be important during the league season because we will need to be ready to face different shapes and styles.
I think we saw a really good mindset today from the players and I'm happy with what I saw from them.
We showed a real willingness to defend today
I think there was only one save that our goalkeepers had to make today, which shows how much we were able to limit their opportunities.
Obviously there are some bits that we'd like to fix so that we're even harder to beat. They changed the shape towards the end which gave us some problems to deal with in the final 15 minutes, and that was a really good challenge for the players.
At the end of the day, three goals and a clean sheet - I'm delighted!
The West Ham fans were so welcoming
Everyone was saying hello, welcoming me to the Club - it was all really positive and it's nice to have everyone here watching the team in pre-season.
I heard lots of people making comments about how positive the game was and that they really enjoyed that, and that's what we need to try and do throughout the season.
We want to be able to make sure that the fans come and watch football that they really enjoy watching, see some goals and see our player at their best.
It's great for us to be able to give them what they deserve and I hope they will be with us against Manchester City when the season begins!
Watch Skinner's West Ham United in action against Manchester City in the women's team's opening Barclays Women's Super League match of the season! Purchase your ticket by clicking on the graphic below!
