Forum | General Discussion

Manchester City fans quickly labeled then manager Manuel Pellegrini 'This Charming Man', after the Smiths song of the same name, no one doubted that he was capable of being tough when required, but his overall demeanor was of an accomplished and relaxed man who more often than not had a smile on his face. Pelle set City up to be the club they are today, him along with the owners many millions of course, but in essence he oversaw the recruitment, the relocation of the training ground as well as the infrastructure of the youth system.

Pellegrini performed his duties perfectly and with dignity, knowing that he was preparing the club for the arrival of Pep Guardiola way ahead of the event he still maintained a certain discipline. Having arrived at the London Stadium Pellegrini set about restructuring the club from top to bottom, his initial efforts resulting in an eye watering war chest which he used extremely wisely with the exception of Jack Wilshere. During the early part of the season when results were dreadful Pelle refused to buckle under the pressure and go all 'Allardyce', he continued to believe in his own 'way', which is as close to the legendary 'West Ham Way' as any manager has achieved this millenium.

During this awkward early season bad patch some began to openly question Pellegrini's ability, but he kept the faith and then results started to turn around. They felt his relaxed stance wasn't animated enough to rouse the troops and perhaps he had 'lost it' during his time in China, however once the team brought in to his game plan results began to happen and Hammers quickly climbed from the relegation zone to mid table. Throughout the difficult times Pellegrini refused to be rattled, particularly by members of the Press who haven't dealt with the Spanish media! If they had done they would have realised their 'leading' questions were water off a duck's back to a seasoned pro of Pellegrin's experience.

Bearing all the above in mind, Manuel Pellegrini's post match comments came like a bolt from the blue, anger past and present was etched in to the normally genial 'charming man's' face, his calm voice even raised at the end of his talk with the BBC. Firstly Pelle was angry with the match officials for allowing liverpool's goal to stand when James Milner was clearly offside when he passed for Sadio Mane to score, it wasn't just offside it was in another post code. Secondly there has been a bit of history between Pellegrini and Klopp when it comes to refereeing decisions, Klopp's Borussia Dortmund beat Pellegrini's Malaga 3-2 in the 2013 Champions League quarter finals courtesy of two injury time goals, four Dortmund players were offside for the winner!

Klopp commenting on referee Kevin Friend saying "he did not want to open the gap any more" in the second period, I heard our goal was offside, I'm pretty sure the ref knew that, In 50-50 situations it was always a free-kick for the other team, which was hard and did not make life easy." In an angry response Pellegrini said "Klopp is used to winning with offside goals, he beat me against Malaga with a goal seven metres offside - so he cannot complain about anything." So, a bit of needle and a bit of afters, maybe things some Hammers fans doubted 'this charming man' had in his locker, but the Hammers manager's post match 'presser' had one last sting in it's tail when the BBC journalist tried to fire in one last fairly innocuous question by asking, "And will Marko Arnautovic be fit for this weekend?" Pellegrini gave the reporter short shrift by saying "I am just talking about this game, I don't want to talk about him at this time", he then 'charmingly' pushed his way past the bewildered BBC journo who was clearly non plussed.

Any one doubting Pellegrini now? His ability and his passion have been tested, and they have not been found wanting, does 'this charming man' bear a grudge? You bet he does! Klopp may have inadvertently done West Ham a huge favour by re-igniting past animosities, bring it on! - Ed

Injuries are part and parcel of modern day professional football, especially in the cut and thrust of the Barclays Premier League and in West Ham United's case the parcel is so massive it is almost undeliverable! No club can cope with almost an entire first team out injured, in that respect Hammers are way top of the table with Arsenal retaining second place.

In an ideal World Manuel Pellegrini would be resting or seeking further treatment for several key members of his squad as opposed to playing them in tonight's televised and crucial to both ends of the table clash against Liverpool at the London Stadium. Hammers full 'senior player' injury list in order of severity and amount of time to return playing is: Carlos Sanchez, Andrily Yarmolenko, Sam Byram, Winston Reid, Jack Wilshere, Fabian Balbuena, Manuel Lanzini, Ryan Fredericks and Samir Nasri. The other senior players who will most likely be selected, despite carrying injury that will prevent them from playing the full ninety minutes are, Marko Arnautovic and Aaron Creswell, in addition to Arnoutovic and Cresswell, goal keeper Lukasz Fabianski also took a heavy knock during the defeat to Wolves but will be able to play.

Being deprived the services of up to THIRTEEN players will have a devastating effect on most clubs, and it is having an extremely detrimental effect on Pellegrini's attempt to achieve European competition qualification. While some of those on the long term injury list will be available before the end of the season, their loss will already have been felt and the damage done, not only that but when the players do become available it will take time to 'ease' them back in to what is essentially 'gladiatorial battle' but without the weapons and angry animals!

Liverpool will arrive as firm favourites, and rightly so, their brand of fast flowing attacking football is that which West Ham aspire to, and perhaps with a full squad to pick from 'Pelle' might have been able to mastermind a positive result. As things stand though, even grabbing a point will be seen as a remarkable achievement, but under the lights if the crowd are behind the team who knows? The Liverpool fans will be singing their hearts out and will threaten to drown out the rest of the Stadium given half the chance.

Which West Ham will turn up tonight? The team that so comprehensively beat Manchester United and Arsenal or the team that so insipidly capitulated against AFC Wimbledon and Wolves? Given the aforementioned injuries but hoping last minute fitness tests are passed, Hammers probable line up will be: Fabianksi, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Antonio, Obiang, Rice, Noble, Anderson, Arnautovic. Pellegrini may start Snodgrass in place of Obiang, but the Scott doesn't have the Spaniard's turn of pace and so may have to settle for a place on the bench unless his manager decides to start him instead of 'Captain Mark Noble' who has looked rather 'leggy' in recent matches although he does have a tendency to raise his game against 'top' opposition.

It will be cold and wet at the London Stadium tonight, but will it be miserable? - Ed