The game against Huddersfield comes at precisely the right time for the Irons and will demonstrate whether we truly have it about us to become a team which at last can show some consistency.
The win over Burnley was attractive and determined. Today will show whether Manuel Pellegrini has been able to build his man management skills to get it into the squad’s collective head it and that we see more of the same REGULARLY.
He insists that every day on the training ground he is instilling the same message: “Play like a big team whoever the opposition!”
And he demonstrated that he had the technique to deal with Felipe Anderson’s poor form ahead of the Clarets game by publicly making in clear he wanted more from him and by God did the Brazilian produce.
Grady Diangana is as fresh and exciting as it gets with loads to prove every week as Pellegrini hints at him to go to the next stage in his development.
He has also made it clear that we simply cannot roll up and expect to win “because it’s Huddersfield” and in so doing reminded everybody of the Brighton experience.
Next up it’s Citeh so back to back wins via Burnley and Huddersfield are crucial as we look to gain the confidence such an encounter demands. The team needs to show us that the boss’ messages are being absorbed and that all team come the same to us.
I love his words from a few weeks ago when things look bleak: “This is not an experiment and I am not going to change my ways.”
Spot on so now comes an acid test. We saw a glimpse of the future last week – now we can’t afford any more let downs.
Here’s the team that’s likely to have to start the process today:
Fabianski, Zabaleta, Diop, Balbuena, Cresswell, Rice, Obiang, Snodgrass, Diangana, Anderson, Arnautovic.