There was a moment within two minutes of the end of last night’s game which provided a telling commentary on what has happened at West Ham over the last few months.
It demonstrated clearly exactly what Manuel Pellegrin has done with a squad which in Allardyce’s day produced as predictable starting X1 as it gets.
Given there was only a marginal amount of time to go, the focus, concentration, determination – call it what you will – written all over the face of Fabian Balbuena as he arrived as a late late sub was something to behold.
He was utterly determined in the few minutes that were left to do something, anything to make an impression – his face was a picture of total determination.
Nothing is a given anymore. Whereas once we would have expected his return following an absence since opening day, or a cameo performance maybe from Jack Wilshere, instead we are seeing a steely approach from a manager who takes no prisoners and offers and has no favourites.
Nothing comes easily to the players anymore and it’s that which is one of the central platforms for the current success.
There’s still stuff that needs sorting – notably an often misplaced final ball – but we have seen two sides of the Irons over the last two games.
Against Norwich it was all skill and guile, against Villa it was all guts and graft.
And that comes in large part by making good players realise they are in the team only for as long as they deserve it.
Pellegrini may give an outward appearance of a kindly grandfather but he is proving a very tough operator indeed and thank goodness for that.
COYI
I agree with your sentiments….but, as well as Ogbonna is currently playing, I believe Balbuena should be back in the team with Ogbonna ready to step up from the substitutes bench. That’s no disrespect to Ogbonna, who at his best is a powerful and determined player, definitely an asset to the squad. But Balbuena can do everything that Ogbonna does and more…he’s ready to organise the defence, win the ball and drive forward with it and distribute it accurately. And, with age on his side, he’ll probably become a first team fixture with Diop and Rice forming a formidable defensive triangle (as was in evidence at times last season).
Totally agree. Balbuena also adds leadership and a cool head.