Forum | Non-Football Related

Crisis, what crisis? Manuel Pellegrini looked like the cat that got the cream as he oversaw his team's 3-1 victory at Goodison Park away to Everton, although we used a feline reference, Manuel Pellegrini is much more reptilian, his eyes are very similar to those of Slaven Billic's, and wierdly their reptilian personna extends to their other facial features, at any time during an interview one expects an unsuspecting fly to be quickly consumed by a lighting 'tongue action', a certain Mr Harry would have a field day with that one!

The dark flags have been removed from Org headquarters as for the first time in what seems like a thousand years Monday morning will not be spent avoiding the 'Press'. Was it ever meant to be any other way? Interestingly in his post match 'El Pel' when asked if he had been worried about such a bad start to the season calmy mentioned that 'his' players had performed to a level that both he and they knew that they could perform at, he also dismissed whether it was a special day because it was his 65th birthday preferring to talk about how 'his' team had performed. Encouragingly Hammers played with a mixture of grit and guille and more than a bit of flair as they outplayed an albeit under strength and somewhat inexperienced side.

Whichever way viewed, the victory against what has always been a 'bogey' team for West Ham United, meant much more than the three urgently needed points that saw the club move out of the relegation zone, the result was much more a damning endightment of Pellegini's Tora Tora Tora approach, arrogant or just a self believer, his mantra only needs the players to embrace it before it can work.

Blind faith or beligerant obduration, Hammers are Paying Pellegrini just shy of £135,000 per week so he should be good! That said the media circus that descended on crisis club West Ham who had previously named them 'on the move' West Ham will have to cede to wisdom. Pellegrini saw his now match fit Yarmolenko link up perfectly with Arnoutovic, Anderson and Obiang in what was a truly moblie forward line, 'Elbows' unselfish play led to the first of Yalmalenko's brace following an electric counter, England number one keeper Jordan Pickford provided the second with a woeful clearance that ended up at 'Yar mo be there's ' feet as he tormented the Toffees defence before curling in a beautiful shot.

Inevitably the home side equalised just before half time with a well worked goal which was a bit unfair on the visitors given their work rate, all of Hammers defence performed well with Diop and Rice impressing and hopefully becoming a pairing for many years to come. Given the visitor's frailty of recent games it was presumed that the home side would launch an all out attack during the scond half, but it was not to be, and when Arnoutovic tucked home the third Hammers goal it was nothing more than they deserved, and huff and puff as the Toffees did, in the end they were not good enough to overcome a West Ham team that finally looked like it had discovered itself.

Blinding result, happy days, dream the dream, now count the sheep! per ardua ad astra - Ed

West Ham United's opponents for this Sunday's 'live on Sky' Barclays Premier League match Everton, might be facing a potential points deduction as a result of an FA enquiry. The investigation into an alleged ‘tapping-up’ of Silva while he was employed by Watford could require Everton’s hierarchy, including Farhad Moshiri, the club’s owner, and their Portuguese manager to hand over phone records and diaries to a QC to uncover any contact between the two parties and when it took place.

Recent events show a significant escalation in the war of words which began when Watford were outraged by Everton’s pursuit of Silva last season, it seemed that the issue would be swept under the carpet as a result of Everton paying way over the odds for the Richarlison from Watford to Everton transfer. However such is the indignation felt by Watford that they have decided to pursue their claim despite having accepted Everton's 'filthy lucre'. If it transpires that an Everton delegation was in Watford when they shouldn’t have been, points could well be deducted as fines are deemed almost irrelevant due to the funding available to 'top fight' clubs.

As Manuel Pellegrini, not Mauricio Pellegrini as he as recently been called on numerous media sites, prepares his squad for the crucial match on mersey side against the Toffees he has apparently taken umbrage over information leaks accredited to the @ExWHUemployee twitter account. One report in the Times went on to say "The manager is aware that a Twitter account has revealed the team for more than 60 matches in succession, including the four Premier League defeats over which he has presided this season, leading him to make inquiries as to the likely source. Pellegrini’s pre-match routine since joining West Ham this summer has been to hold a meeting with the players four hours before kick-off, at which he names his side, but elements of noteworthy team news have been appearing on match days before this point… Pellegrini works with his players on team shape throughout the week but the only people who are given the team before the pre-match meeting are the club’s owners, David Sullivan and David Gold."

Bit strange this 'Twitter' thing, because up until recently it would appear that the club embraced Ex's 'snippet' outlet and used it to inform fans of potential transfers ahead of when they had actually had the i's dotted and the t's crossed on contracts. The parallel is celebrity fame, on one hand b list celebrities seek fame and fortune by conducting their lives in the Public domain, but when they have achieved a modicum of success they then bleat about Press invasion! Likewise Hammers can't have their cake and eat it without paying the price, court publicity and you will receive it, stopping it is another thing entirely.

Ahead of the match, news is that Jack Wilshere has 'picked up' an ankle injury that threatens to keep him out of contention for the Everton game, this is rather a pity because as we had previously mentioned El Pel has been working on a set up that would have featured 'wheelchair' playing a far more advanced role than in the previous four matches he played in, which of course all ended in defeat. Perhaps his injury will open the door for a return to the starting line up for Mr West Ham, captain Mark Noble, sure his legs have gone, but what he lacks in speed he makes up for with passion, a commodity that seems particularly scarce at the London Stadium at the moment.

We are not suggesting Noble should be re-instated as a long term solution, but for the Everton match his leadership qualities might well prove decisive. There will be a press conference later today where Manuel Pellegrini will set out his stall, that is unless his news has already been leaked! - Ed