West Ham Coach Skinner: Team on ‘Right Direction’ Ahead of Break

Rehanne Skinner, West Ham’s boss, stated that the team is “moving in the right direction” as they approach the winter break. Despite a challenging beginning to the season, the Hammers now possess significant confidence following three consecutive victories across all competitions. Should West Ham secure a victory against Aston Villa, they would enter the winter break with a five-point lead over their Sunday opponents. Skinner commented, “We have dropped points in a couple of games we should have had more out of so we are a fraction behind where I wanted us to be at this point.” She added, “They were tough games but across the board we have reduced the volume of goals we have conceded in comparison so last year. Our goal difference going the other way is improving game on game.” Skinner concluded, “We are moving in the right direction. We are going to go into this Christmas breakin a very positive place.” Further remarks from Skinner’s news conference, held prior to Sunday’s game (scheduled for kick-off at 14:00 GMT), included: Regarding the team’s current momentum, she stated: “That is testament to the players. For us moving forward we want to make sure we stick at it consistently.” Skinner also indicated that achieving four successive wins “is the ultimate goal,” explaining that “it puts us in a position we would have liked to be in by Christmas if we can do that.” Addressing the upcoming match against Aston Villa, which marks their first game since Robert de Pauw’s departure, Skinner remarked: “We know their attacking threat going forward and that can be a problem. We just have to make sure we are more diligent on the road.”