The battle for the WSL’s ‘best of the rest’ title is cranking up as West Ham face Everton on Sunday afternoon.
After falling short to fourth-place Manchester City in a 1-0 loss to mark their first match since the winter break, the Hammers are gunning to return to winning ways in the league with a first victory of 2023 as they travel to Walton Hall Park to take on the Toffees, who sit one place higher than West Ham in the WSL table at sixth on goal difference.
The Hammers topped their FA WSL Cup group with a goalless draw against Brighton & Hove Albion midweek, but manager Paul Konchesky voiced no allusions to the challenge ahead if his squad hope to regain the fifth-place league berth and close the gap to the league's top.
READ MORE: Paul Konchesky confident West Ham are 'closing the gap' despite Manchester City defeat
“I know it may sound like a broken record, but it really is the truth when we say that there isn’t an easy game in this division – that’s why so many of the world’s best players are playing in England and why almost everyone wants to come over and play here," he told the club's website.
“Our aim is still to keep plugging away at the gap between us and the top teams, as well as continue moving up the table. A win over Everton would cement our position as the best of the rest if you like, so we know that it’s a really important game.”
The Hammers face a crowded fixture list in the coming week, with Sunday’s away fixture to Everton followed by another away match to Liverpool in the FA WSL Cup quarterfinals midweek and a fourth round Women’s FA Cup match against National League North side Wolverhampton Wanderers on the weekend.
Konchesky acknowledged the burden that such a schedule plus travel can inflict on a squad of his side in comparison to other top-flight squads who tout an embarrassment of riches, but maintained that the opportunity to compete on multiple fronts should be celebrated.
“We’ve got a small squad at the moment, which also adds another dimension to that challenge if you like – but I have full faith in the team to come through all of these matches and pick up the results that we all want,” he said.
Konchesky also confirmed that reinforcements for his squad to help ease this challenge are likely before the end of the January transfer window.
“It’s always tough in January to bring players in, but myself and the backroom team are working hard to try and bring the right players into the building that will add something to the group that we already have.
“We’re hopeful of having one player signed on the dotted line in the very near future.”
West Ham kick-off at 1pm against Everton at Walton Hall Park.
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