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Time To Regroup Not Recriminate As Club Back Pellegrini

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 10/09/2018 - 10:22

Historically the dreaded 'vote of confidence' from a football club's hierarchy was the portent to a manager being 'hooked', however that is not so much the case now, managers are paid vast amounts of money and terminating their lucrative contracts can prove to be extremely costly. The atrocious run of losses that West Ham have sustained during Manuel Pellegrini's four games in the Barclays Premiership has seen the odds on El Pel being sacked shorten to such an extent that only Manchester United's Jose Mourinho is priced shorter.

However Pellegrini's stock may have been devalued, he is still highly regarded by the board which has prompted Lady Brady to issue a rallying call to all Hammers fans and the need for patience during these difficult times. “Having decided we did not want to go through another season like the last one, the Board took action, we appointed a manager with the most successful career we have ever had in Manuel Pelligrini and spent over £100million on players he wanted that we all thought would improve the team considerably. It hasn’t happened yet but I have complete faith that things will soon start to turn our way, the most important thing is to stick together. It takes time for a new team to gel, but gel they will and anyway targeting the manager or certain players will help no-one. As a club, we will stand by them all, confident that they have the makings of an excellent side, they need the encouragement of the many people, like the supporters and the Chairmen who love this club.”

The fixture list wasn't particularly kind when it was revealed that Hammers would have to play so many top sides within the first two months, there is of course the argument that you have to play every team twice so what is the problem? The problem lies with inertia, momentum or call it what you will. Last season's imposed away fixtures at the beginning of the season had a collaterally damaging effect on the morale of the team and it's supporters, and while this year's fixtures included two 'easy' fixtures the rest have and will be very challenging, Everton away followed by home games against Chelsea and Manchester United, Spurs and Man City are up soon as well!

Even though Goodison Park has generally been an unhappy hunting ground for the Irons, the fact that this first match back after the International break is an away fixture might help the team 'ease' back in to playing alongside each other away from the negative 'cauldron' that the London Stadium can become when things start to go badly. That is not to say that the atmosphere can't be electric, it was on several occasions last season and can be this season, but it is a very fragile and tennuous home support that takes to the Stadium on matchdays.

A couple of decent performances would condemn all the negativity surrounding the club to the history books, the problem being the longer this 'pointless' streak continues the more pressure will be built on the players who will then not be able to 'express' themselves in a liberated way that enables them to perform to the upmost of their undoubted abilities. This is where the manager comes in, Pellegrini has been round the block long enough to know what he is doing, and probably knows he will turn it round but that it might be later than sooner, it's called playing the long game.

Well, playing the long game might be OK in the end for the manager, but it's a wrenching experience for the fans! - Ed

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That's exactly what I fear dicksy. Just only playing one way and letting others worry about us. That would be suicide. He has to remember we aren't Man city we are West Ham. We need to have a plan against most teams!

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60 users have voted.
cast iron's picture

Pellegrini is back at the training ground perhaps the board have had a word with him, probably went over to put a few bob in his bank account. Let's hope he sorts out the team for Sunday and gets us some points on the table.

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50 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

Everton might be a turning point but we have absolutely no evidence to suggest that we are any where near that stage. The stats recently published put us at the bottom of the league for work rate, yards run, lack of tackles and interceptions and its this area that needs to be addressed. I think the fixtures were difficult but home loses to Bournemouth and Wolves is inexcusable. I, and some others, are resigned to accepting that the Chumps league will beckon this season. The last two seasons we have been fortunate to stay up and at some point it all just catches up.

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67 users have voted.

I know famous last words and all that,but a man of Pellegrinis stature cannot be seen being relegated,i just cant see it happening.I understand things don't look good at this stage,and the results with Bournemouth and Wolves were inexcusable,and I have droned on that with a little luck we could of won convincingly at the Arse, we wont get relegated.........That's the plan.

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75 users have voted.

Hope im wrong but the waiter from barcelona,doesnt exactly look like the type to inspire a fight...his body language against wolves was Hodgsonesqe icelandic stylee!!

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119 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

These feel like dark days 65, what we would give for a win at Goodison or at least a bit of fight and a good performance! You are right about the body language of I think Mr Grey :o)

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108 users have voted.
asheshammer's picture

I can't see anything but another "L" on its way, I'm afraid. Dartford's stats are depressing to say the least. We should be among the top teams in those stats, not the bottom.

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55 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

These no excuse Ashes, Im sure you agree, particularly the stats on work rate and particularly when you are rock bottom! Put a bl__dy shift in!!!

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58 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

Payet, like Tev, was a match winner, could change the course of a game, we have NOTHING like that at the moment. Wheelchair could do it a few years ago for England and Arse but even at Bournemouth he never made a difference.

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50 users have voted.
La Vida Hammer's picture

are 2 different teams now. 50 50 COYI

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64 users have voted.

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