Those of us who believed Manuel Pellegrini was a soft touch as far as Jack Wilshere is concerned had something of a rude awakening last weekend.
It all but got lost in the thrilling aftermath of the Norwich victory but how surprising that after Newport, his first goal in 19 months and a decent second half performance, he didn’t figure in the squad – entirely excluded.
Given how the boss has talked him up down the months as being a game changer and a player whom he admires enormously, that was something of a surprise for me.
Remember too, that ahead of the game in Wales it was the boss who was declaring it was of paramount importance the midfielder was fit for the Carabao Cup match which half suggested he was now very much under consideration generally.
Thus, his absence raised more than an eyebrow although on reflection it shows how far this club has come over the past 13 or 14 months.
The competition for places in our midfield is now intense and you wonder how on earth Wilshere is going to replace any of Anderson, Lanzini, Noble, Rice, Yarmolenko, Snoddy and yes, on recent performance levels, even Carlos Sanchez, when they are fit.
And let’s not forget Pablo Fornals once he adjusts and reaches the levels of which the boss knows he must be capable.
Pelle has made much of having two players in each position. In midfield he has more options than would have been imaginable a couple of years ago.
I want to see Jack Wilshere come back to his very best but the way things are looking he has the biggest battle of his life on his hands.
COYI
Wow, what a terrific, yet terrifying thought, Hugh. Unless, something else was wrong with Jack….maybe a slight knock, we are not aware of. Take for instance the W. Reid case. Set him up in the pre-season matches, and withdrawn. Reason …. ??? Now we hear of swelling on the knee, and maybe back to action in 2 weeks time. Chicharitho went from sick, to injured, to sold. Pelligrini, as much as I like him, speaks to a politician, and as a seasoned football manager does not give away much. Let’s get used to that … and also hope Jack comes into the reckoning in due course, without getting injured again. Coyi. God bless West Ham !!!!
Every game ix different just as every opponsnt is different. Pelle will see the away at Villa game as different to home to Norwich game so we can expect changes.
I hope Pelle is not forced into playing him due to others being injured. He’ll probably get another run out in Carabao Cup
It’s a very long season they will all be needed, I would be more worried about how light We are up top,if haller gets injured we will be introuble..it’s asking way to much for a player to play whole season up front on his own..especially now Antonio is out for 5 months…could be a great season so hopefully we will have a bit of luck
What I like about Pelle is that he is not influenced by media etc. I watched the entire Newport game and how Jack Wilshere got the MOM award had me laughing. He gave away so many balls, lost possession and did not track back. Pelle was not influenced by a ridiculous decision. Jack is a football talent but if he cannot get up and down the pitch or is not up to the pace of the PL he will only see cup action this season. Imagine if Wilshere had Fredericks pace and Fredericks had Wilshere’s skill lol
It’s a thought, but neither would still be a full back …
I should add it’s also nice to see that johnham1 is not influenced by media etc. and is still posting on here.