Manuel Pellegrini has delivered a ‘fitness and preparation’ over performance verdict as the Irons pre-season leaves Switzerland and China and returns to the UK.
Most were left underwhelmed by the Irons against Newcastle notably during the first 45 minutes when frankly the team looked all at sea.
These are always difficult games to assess and today’s display left the squad vulnerable to over-reaction across the forums although Jack Wilshere was recognised as a big success.
Pellegrini has always held him in high regard and there can be no question that should the midfielder continue as he has started he will become a key player in the Hammer set up this term.
It was good to see Winston Reid making a calm and composed return at the back and there is no question that Ben Johnson has been impressive throughout.
The Issa Diop injury caused some worry but we are told there is not too much to worry about and we now wait for the Fulham game to see whether he is included.
Pellegrini meanwhile seem relatively content with what he has seen so far declaring: “I think that we are working the preseason in a way that we planned for at the start
“We had ten days in Switzerland where we worked mostly in a physical way and in China we have played two friendly games to see what level we are at.
“We used these two games also to give minutes to the whole squad for I think that, for the moment, we are working well and we need to finish the next few weeks trying to be mentally and physically ready.”
West Ham however, managed just one goal, a Mark Noble penalty against Manchester City, and failed to muster a shot on target against Newcastle.
As a result the boss was asked if he internded bringing in another striker but responded: “In this moment, we have Sebastien Haller who just arrived at the club and we also have Javier Hernandez and Antonio, who are two players who can also play as a striker.
“Until the last day or the last hour of the transfer market, you can make changes but I think, in this moment, with those players we have good options.”
if pellegrini thinks he can have only 2 strikers and hope to compete in the premier league , he might as well resign now before west ham are relegated
If the Manager thinks that our current forward options are fine then it is going to be a long season. We had senior players today who couldn’t pass a ball accurately over just 10 yards. .Lanzini looked a shadow of his former self and Yarmanelco was annonymous.
We are desperately crying out for another forward who can play as a target man and bring other players into play. Hernandez cannot do this and nor can Antonio.We also desperately need another good central midfield player who can help Rice protect our back four. This player needs to be good enough to deputise for Rice or to play alongside him. Neither Cullen nor Sanchez can play this role and Nobes, as we all know, is not getting any younger.
Sometimes in pre-season the players train so hard they are lacklustre in the games. Hopefully that’s the case here ? I will be happy to lose all our preseason games if we produce in the league. Not sure why but I feel we are going to do pretty well this season, especially if we find another striker and cdm COYI!!!
We have no attacking threat down the right nor do we have a midfielder who can go from box to box. Fornals and Haller do not solve either problem. We need quality signings in these positions if we are to progress and if we are to keep our better players long term. Failure to invest in these signings will mean not alone will we not progress, we will lose players and possibly our manager, I don’t know what the owners are thinking of really. cannot believe we have planned so poorly. Before we sold Arnie we were talking about a potential 5-6 early signings. We have 3 signings (not counting the 3rd keeper) in and just in a mess with 3 weeks to go. Still waiting to hear who our replacement is for Arnie but none is talking about this.
Fredericks looks a serious threat to me
Yarmo, Manu, Reid & Wilshere all need their confidence back as well as match fitness. So far, Wilshere is already showing glimpses of his old self. Pre season is pre season, let’s not knee jerk. In terms of the squad, I’m sure the boss would love to bring in more talent but we ain’t bankrolled by Sheiks or Oligarchs.
the game today was a run out we made the barcodes look like Man City today as I watched the game the 1st half in my opinion goes like this Zabaletta & Ogbonna & Cresswell are past there best Cullen not premier league material as for Yarmie Lanzini & Anderson just couldnt get going we need a couple more in ie right back left back & striker out Cullen Hugill Cresswell & Ogbonna then invest in 2 or 3 decent loans with view to buy as for upcoming season were be ok as can’t see Norwich or Sheffield United staying up & Palace & Newcastle to take 3rd relegation spot COYI
Antonio is Arnautovic’s replacement. He’s our new winger playing as a striker. We also went and spent 45m to replace Andy Carroll with one of Europe’s most in form strikers.
I think he might learn that there are some far better players in the U,23 squad who have finished their Czech tour unbeaten.Starting 11 will be fine but squad depth comes up short in certain positions.
My God if he thinks out forward line is ok we are in trouble..
So disappointed in what is happening in terms of transfers. We have nothing going forward apart from Halle and Anderson and no back up. I refuse to believe we are finished spending, If we got a quality 8 and a quality winger I would be happy. Come on owners dig deep again and try to provide Pelle with two more quality signings. We have a great opportunity to do something special this season.
Our starting 11 is no where near good enough and it is frightening how poor our bench is. We don’t have a good left back, we don’t have midfielder who can defend but also go box to box, we have no threat down the right within the current squad. We have 3 weeks to address these 3 positions and to also bring it a second striker. The next 3 weeks will tell us how much ambition our owners have for the season ahead.
Johnham, have you ever said a positive word on here?
I defence of Johnham, I recall him making plenty of positive comments over the past 12 months. You may consider his recent comments as negative, but his message has always been consistent and, in my opinion, his thoughts are well-considered – even if I don’t always share them.
PS – I am not Johnham in disguise … COYI