Hope Powell is delighted with the form of goalkeeper Meg Walsh – but admits she’d like her to be less busy in games.
Walsh, 27, was player of the match after producing a string of saves against WSL leaders Arsenal last month and has made more saves than any other keeper in the league this season. Her consistent performances also earned her a first Republic of Ireland cap in February.
“She’s been excellent and in all aspects of her game she has really improved,” said Powell.
“I have to give a lot of credit to [goalkeeping coach] Alex Penny, who has helped her change her game a lot compared to what she used to be like.
“She’s kept us in a lot of games this season and if I was looking at it from a different angle I’d say I rather she didn’t have as much to do in some of our games, but we’re really thankful she’s between the sticks for us.”
Albion head to the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday knowing that victory over West Ham United would lift them to sixth in the table.
“It’s going to be a really tough game,” said Powell. “They have only lost to Chelsea at home which tells you a lot. They are aggressive and it’s a really tough place to go.
“We’ve got five games left and if we can repeat sixth place from last season I think it would be a tremendous achievement, because the standard of the league has definitely improved this season again. We will have a game plan on Sunday and if we execute it we’ll give ourselves the best chance of getting a result.”