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They Always Say Wait Until Six Games Before Judgment

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 27/09/2018 - 11:32

Having endured a 'horror' start to the season West Ham quickly became labled a club in crisis, leading to newly appointed manager Manuel Pellegrini's inclusion near the top of the list of 'The first Premier League manager to be sacked', second only to Jose Mourinho. Fast forward six games from the beginning of the season and the situation, while still not making perfect reading, is far far better than it was. Having only secured one win and that was against Wimbledon AFC in the Carabao Cup, things were looking really bleak, but the morale boosting win up at Goodison Park against 'bogey' team Everton followed by a stirring draw at home to league leaders Chelsea has seen a coplete change at the club.

Nothing illiustrates how important those results were and the confidence they inspired than the fact that Manuel Pellegrini was able to make eight changes from the team that started against Chelsea for last night's drubbing of Macclesfield in the Cup. OK Macclesfield were bottom of the 2nd Division which in old money meant they were bottom of Division 4 and one step away from the Isthmian League! However the players who took to the field did so with confidence, they set about dismantling the visitors with clinical precision and had the job done by half time before running out as comfortable 8-0 victors.

The youth players on display took their chances well, only the oldest player for West Ham had a negative experience, and that was Carlos Sanchez who left the field early with a knee injury that will keep him out for some considerable time. Hammers fielded a strong bench just in case the opposition played out of their skins and had a bit of 'cup luck', that was not to be so players like Fabian Balbuena did not have to be used. Balbuena was brought to the club from Uruguay in order to add some much needed zip to a Hammers defence that looked ponderous even before James Collins' departure and the long term injury sustained by Winston Reid. After a dodgy start Balbuena quickly got to grips with the speedy rough and tough nature of the Barclays Premier League, statistics show that Balbuena’s 18 interceptions in six Premier League games this season has not been beaten by anybody else in the top flight, his numbers are far superior to those of N’Golo Kante and Virgil van Dijk, he shares the League record with Watford’s Etienne Capoue who would be expected to have better stats bearing in mind he is a midfield player.

Neutral observers within the media ( there aren't that many!) are of the opinion that six games is the point at which to asses the progress of a club, particularly one with a new manager and virtually a full team of new recruits. Those who indulged in "Pellegrini to get the bullet" headlines have gone rather quiet, content to now jump aboard the 'Declan Rice Saga' rather than giving credit where and when it is due to the 'serial winner' that the 65 year old Manuel Pellegrini is. It was always goint to take time for the team to gel, and to create a 'proper team' that looks like a well drilled unit, the players have had to buy in to Pellegrin's ethos which has not always been that easy, believing in his philosophy requires a leap of faith, not only for the players but for the fans as well.

Seeing the 'first seeds' of recovery has helped galvanise all those involved with the club, the appearance of Youth players within the ranks harks back to the 'good old days' of the Academy. Pellegrini's insistance that the U-23 players train with the senior squad is a modus operandi that many fans have cried out for, some of the gems currently being unearthed would most likely not have been given much of a chance under Slaven Billic or David Moyes. Recently other English teams have nurtured their youth players who quickly become very valuable assets and are either sold on for a huge profit or take their place in the first team and save their club the fortune they would have to pay for them in the transfer market.

One more game in than the 'Six' things are looking a lot rosier, "There may be troubles ahead", but in Manuel Pellegrini the club have a person who knows how to win and who can be trusted, his quiet demeanor belies a steely determination not only to win, but to win beautifully and also win 'ugly' if the circumstances dictate. - Ed

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Comments

I was the same about pel after 4 losses,maybe a bit premature...But i see the makings of a very good team now,as ever time will tell,but promising signs none the less.As for the youngster last night Diangana - could be another gem like Rice!nice to see some academy boys coming through like the old westham,is Tony carr back on the firm??!!

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54 users have voted.

Talking about Mourinho I can see the headlines now ". Mourinho sacked after a 3-0 defeat to West Ham at the London stadium ".
I just have a feeling in my water

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89 users have voted.

Burkie 1

hammergirl's picture

I have the opposite view and I have a feeling with all the pressure on manure and them needing a result badly I do not think us parking the bus would be a very good move Saturday lunchtime.If Pogba does not start on Saturday I think it will make a difficult situation worse for them if they go a goal down which hopefully with Arnie fit they will although I am wary of a wounded animal and that is what they are right now

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72 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

Did Mourinho get the boot after we beat Chavski at UP? Could lightening strike twice and be another red letter day for him... couldn't happen to a nicer guy :o)

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89 users have voted.
boogerscaravan's picture

Who knows what goes on under that barnet of Pellegrinis? Dignified as ever though he is, keep it up, no need to send out for the syrup Police just yet..

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117 users have voted.
Deluded Hammer's picture

Is too short to judge Pellegrini. The club were in absolute mess and all the work of rebuilding by Allardyce had been undone by the foolish appointment of Bilic. Pellegrini had to rebuild again and to be perfectly honest I am prepared to give him a whole season before passing judgement. Maybe even go down and start again if necessary which hopefully won't happen. By the way, is it just me who has noticed that it is very quiet from those who are (unfortunately) in charge?

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69 users have voted.

The foolish appointment of Bilic after sam!!lol... what going from dire hoofball to an attacking style that beat the likes of citeh,the arse & liverpool on their patch!! bit of selective memory me thinks!!
As for the board someones told them if they have any sense keep shtum & just run the club,unfortunately Brady is the one who cant keep her trap shut,via that foul rag she writes for

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84 users have voted.

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