It can always be difficult when making the move to a new club, away from friends and family and thrust into a new environment. But in this case, Abbey-Leigh Stringer is relishing the opportunity of playing more minutes at West Ham United Women and is enjoying her football in the famous Claret & Blue shirt.
After the Hammers put Everton to the sword on Sunday afternoon with a clinical and professional performance, Stringer, who joined the Hammers from the Toffee’s this summer, spoke of how pleasing it was to get the win.
“I think the girls battled really well out there today,” Stringer told West Ham TV. “Obviously, Everton are a good side, so I feel like today's performance just proved we're going in the right direction as a team.
“I know some of the girls on their team, but when you step over the white line isn't doesn’t matter. I feel like the girls did really well, today, obviously scored three goals. So I feel like moving forward, we just need to keep adding the draws into wins, we've had a lot of draws at the moment, so hopefully we can continue to turn those into wins.”
The Hammers didn’t have it all their own way in east London on Sunday, despite the convincing scoreline suggesting otherwise. Jean-Luc Vasseur’s side started the better, hitting the crossbar and forcing Anna Leat into a wonderful save that the New Zealander tipped onto the bar.
But Olli Harder’s side were clinical with their work on the ball, whilst also maintaining a good shape that Everton struggled to break down.
“Like I said, Everton are a good side, but I feel like today we outran them and we competed really well. Technically, they're a very good side, but obviously in football, you need a bit of both.
“Going forward we're doing all the right things to get into those [attacking] areas, so I feel like if we just keep doing what we're doing on the training pitch, obviously the performances will come.”
Stringer often admits that she loves the combative side of the game - being out there in the middle of the park and making tough, but fair challenges to help her team. And the midfielder admits that she’s enjoying her football here in east London, and is pleased to be playing so regularly under Harder.
“I've come to West Ham to obviously play more football. Everyone here at West Ham has been great and I’m really enjoying my football at the minute,” she confirmed.
The Hammers now turn their attention to their next match, where they will face Chelsea on Wednesday in the Barclays FA Women's Super League at Kingsmeadow. You can watch the match live on the BBC Red Button.