Manuel Pellegrini will find a Christmas shortage of peace and goodwill if he fails to avoid defeat at Palace and against Leicester City.
But even if he does, he will face the sack anyway if the team are then beaten by Bournemouth which is now seen as an absolutely key game for the Chilean manager.
Whilst his 1-0 victory at Southampton eased the pressure, CandH understands the Hammers are set to finally wield the axe if the 66 year old receives a beating from any one of the three festive periods opponents.
Whilst many have claimed he found the key by playing two up – Haller and Antonio – at St Mary’s, there remain worries over his defensive set up and we understand he could be toying with playing three at the back.
With Felipe Anderson recovering from illness that throws extra doubt over his position which could also be threatened again should Manu Lanzini be available.
It’s also being pointed out that with likely increased options over the holiday period another defeat is seen as even more unacceptable particularly should Fabianski also be back.
You promised me he’d already gone regardless!!
I am not in a position to make PROMISES so if I did that was a mistake. I’d like to see what I said in order to apologise properly if that was the case and was it before or after Saints?
I think that I have said this before – but having these constant ultimatums cant be good for the team – at least look at the 3 games over Xmas and make the call based on both points gained (say a minimum of 4) and the way that we play (I think that Marco Silva was unlucky to be sacked after losing to a debatable late decision at Leicester)
While it may be – as Hugh says “no peace and goodwill” for Pelle it is also “no peace and goodwill” for the players or the fans
Also (on another post) with relegation still a possibility I think that when buying players in January the only considerations should be 1) will they improve the team and 2) is there an appropriate squad place available
So if it means giving Carlos Sanchez and Roberto free transfers or else paying off the remainder of their contracts we should just do it (money was apparently not an issue when first signing Pelle to a ridiculously expensive contract)
I doubt it is ‘this game’ or ‘that game’ which decides a coaches fate but the owners’ ability to not only decide the “latest” way forward, but who is available and best suits their latest master plan.
Bearing in mind how a replacement is generally miraculously in place within hours of the departure of the previous coach.
Of course, that is not to say that a temporary solution would not be employed if results become untenable for the present incumbent.