By Ella McShane (16/05/24)
In the first of a series reviewing how the team’s of the WSL fared in the 2024 to 2025 season, Impetus Football’s Ella McShane evaluates how West Ham United’s campaign went.
The 2024/25 season was one of transformation for West Ham United. A campaign defined by fresh faces, international tours, new leadership, tactical growth and solid foundations for a promising 2025/26 campaign. The Hammers’ journey was true testament to the club’s growing ambition for the women’s game.
Standout signings
The 2024-25 season commenced with a host of new additions to the claret and blue. The most notable among them being Shelina Zadorsky, Kinga Szemik and Shekeria Martinez.
Joining the club as a loanee from Tottenham Hotspur in the 2023-24 season, Zardorsky then made things permanent in the summer, and was later appointed vice captain.
Polish international Kinga Szemik was brought in as East London’s new number one, the Pole playing in every Women’s Super League fixture.
Shekiera Martinez has emerged as West Ham’s star signing of the season. Returning from loan in January, the German international has accumulated 10 goals in 12 matches, and won the Barclays Women’s Super League rising star award.
Preseason in Perth; a club committed to the women’s game
West Ham’s campaign officially kicked off down under at the inaugural Perth International Football cup. As this was the first tour the women’s side had embarked on, it represented a new chapter in the club’s commitment in elevating the women’s game.
The preseason tournament hosted the Hammers’ alongside the likes of French giants Paris Saint-Germain, and fellow WSL side’s Leicester City and Manchester City. This provided much needed time for the refreshed squad to build cohesion on and off the pitch.
A new era of leadership; Gorry takes the armband
Upon the Hammers’ return from Australia it was announced that Australian international Katrina Gorry was appointed captain of the east London side. She succeeded her fellow Matildas’ teammate, Mackenzie Arnold.
“It was a special moment…I was really emotional as it is something that I don’t take lightly.”
The Aussie’s example of leadership on the pitch and advocacy for eating disorder awareness and IVF accessibility earned her the Barclays Women’s Super League Champion of Change award.
A team capable of competing – yet struggling to convert
The league commenced, and early struggles were evident within the revitalised squad. A lack of cohesion saw the side unsure of their tactical identity and conceding frustrating goals they were capable of defending.
Following a discouraging defeat to Manchester City in October, Manager Rehanne Skinner acknowledged the teams’ growing pains:
“I think we’re still trying to work on everyone understanding everybody and how they play, as there are still a lot of new players on the pitch.”
West Ham eventually secured their first win of the season in a 1-0 triumph against Leicester City at home. A far cry from the 5-2 defeat the Hammers’ faced at the feet of the foxes in Perth just months earlier.
As the season progressed it was evident that the hammer’s attacking identity was still ineffective. Initially adopting a direct style of attack, they then switched to a more effective possession-based approach for the latter half of the season, breathing a renewed sense of confidence into the team.
Shekiera Martinez’ return from loan in January, also played a significant role in the sides converting ability. The German international accounted for 12 of the total 34 goals scored by West Ham this season, all in an impressive trademark fashion.
Season Highlights
The Hammers’ made it to the semi-final of the Subway™ league cup, giving Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea a hard fought game. Although ultimately falling short, the side gave a commendable performance through the entirety of their league cup campaign.
Crystal Palace away was the team’s most successful fixture across all competitions this season. Martinez netted a whopping four goals in world class fashion, Viviane Asseyi’s worldie earning herself WSL goal of the month and youngster Emma Harries’ score sheet debut in the form of a brace.
Interpreting ultimate league standings
When reflecting on the Irons’ performance during this campaign, their goal difference is particularly illustrative. Although finishing ninth on the league table, the Hammers’ maintained a goal difference of -5.
The most positive figure among all teams outside the top four. Highlighting the sides’ ability to maintain respectable score lines and keep matches competitive.
In conjunction with West Ham’s narrow score lines, you simultaneously must question their ability to maintain a productive winning mentality. The Hammers’ drew with WSL powerhouses like Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, but then suffered repetitive defeats to compatible WSL sides. An assumingly frustrating position for players, staff, and supporters alike.
Looking forward
Despite the season making a less than ideal start, West Ham have laid solid foundations for a promising 2025/26 campaign. The second half of the season saw the emergence of a clear tactical identity, in particular improvements in their attacking play.
While results may have varied, the Hammers consistently demonstrated their ability to go toe-to-toe with a wide range of opponents, showcasing resilience and an ability to provide consistent competitive match ups.
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