Balbuena shows why Pellegrini is no kindly grandfather
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