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The Pellegrini verdict

Manuel Pellegrini was a happy and relieved man following a victory which saw the Hammers move away from the danger zone and into 13th place.

He and his team had given the critics a perfect response after a week long barrage but it’s only a start and he knows that level of performance is needed week in week out of we are to become a team seriously challenging towards the top of the league.

As things stand that was a one off performance and given what’s gone before we have every reason to ask why we haven’t seen that  level of commitment and determination before.

There will also be big questions asked should we return to the sloppy performances we have seen in the past when you see what happened at the Bridge today.

There are one or two reasons of course and the biggest may be Michail Antonio who represents what we expect from the rest of the team.

Bit for now it’s probably best to feel relief and delight in equal part but this can only be the start and the manager knows it.

Speaking at https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2019/november/30-november/pellegrini-we-were-concentrated-throughout-and-its-really he said: “I think it was a really important win. We know the results recently are not what we expected of this team, but football is like that.

You must understand that you must be solid and consistent in the Premier League through the whole game. I think that was the major change.

“That allowed us to keep a clean sheet and beat a team like Chelsea who are in a good moment.

“I think the players are convinced in what we are doing. It’s difficult when you aren’t getting the results you expect to continue working in the same way, but we didn’t concede easy goals [today].

“When you concede goals that you can do better with of course it’s very difficult to win. Today we were concentrated all over and that showed in our performance.”

The Hammers celebrate their goal at Chelsea

 

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

6 comments on “The Pellegrini verdict

  1. At last – a bit of fight shown by the team. It’s amazing what (a) not having the worst keeper in our history between the sticks and (b) doing a bit of running around can do for you. I agree with the tone of your piece, Hugh – let’s not get carried away. This level of performance is what our long-suffering fans should expect every week. MP’s changes may have been made out of desperation, but it’s very welcome relief. Well done to all those on the pitch. 24 points to go …

  2. Ha that’s true. Real fighting spirit today from most the side, that’s been missing a while. Could have gone wrong if Chelsea were more clinical but to be fair their keeper also made a few outstanding saves also.

    Real outstanding result, one of those you hang onto as a west ham fan. Can we show the same midweek though?
    Perhaps drop Anderson, really is a waste at the moment

  3. Whilst the win and points and a fighting performance from all is obviously very very welcome Hugh I will not get carried away with it yet..a win at Wolves would be excellent as would a draw to give us substance to believe in MP again ..and a huge slice of humble pie for me..

  4. I am subject to correction – but I think that Ryan Fredericks picked up his 5th yellow and will be suspended for Wolves. If Zaba comes in then I would play Antonio wide right to give some pace and protection on the right, drop Anderson and bring in Haller – he has now watched and seen what is required

    I feel much better after yesterdays display and result – but agree that there is a long way to go and some suggestions still merit consideration – especially giving Nathan Holland a chance – bring him on when defenders are tiring and there (like today) is some confidence and belief in the team

  5. Pellegrini has errored to many times this season. Dropping Ogbonna instead of Diop,playing Roberto after the OXFORD game.Keeping the same players who have been out of form. Not trying any youngsters from a succesfull U23’s team.
    I really thought he would be THE manager to set us along a more successfull path. How wrong am I ?
    He is unlikley to recover from those previous 8 games (with the exception of the Bournemouth game ).
    I don’t think he will change and I am now unenthused of him being our manager.

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