Green Street Hammers
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Brighton result disappointing, but West Ham’s turnaround impressive

By Scott Johnson

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s loss on Friday night was not a great match in isolation. But the 4 match section saw much improvement from the season’s opening games.

When you lose the last match before an international break, it always hits morale more than at other points. You have to deal with a week off before you can get back the points you feel you dropped, and it means there’s no chance to get the fans back on side. However West Ham and Pellegrini should remember where we were before the last break. This time the panic alarm isn’t ringing, and there can be focus on key areas.

Before the last break the Hammers were on 0 points, and there were real issues with the Irons in all areas of the team. The defence was shaky, the midfield weak and the attack blunt. Although we’re not looking perfect, there is a different feel to this team now and Pellegrini will have things to work on. But overall there should be confidence in the side.

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In defence the only issue seems to be the left back. Masuaku doesn’t look very comfortable in this side and compared to Zabaleta he is a fish out of water. The gaffer will surely consider bringing Cresswell in for the Spurs match, but will also worry about changing a consistent side. Fredericks will also be pushing for a game, and if he can work on the defensive side of the game he will surely be a contender for a run of ‘easier’ games after Spurs, which will see us play only one ‘big’ side before 2019.

The Midfield looks more settled, but is very light on numbers. With Sanchez out long term and Wilshere always an injury management concern, there’s no depth. I imagine Pellegrini will work with the midfield over the next two weeks to keep the same shape as before, but also manage their contact in training.

In attack the 3 front men have all got goals in the past few weeks, and they want more. What they need to work on is a plan if the side sits back and defends what they have. We seem to have done well exploiting space when teams attack us, but not when they present two walls of four. If we can work on that, we’ll have a plan for the next time we come up against a side like Brighton.

Next. Masuaku a problem, but is Cresswell solution?. dark

But all in all, the break comes at a time to allow Pellegrini to continue his good work. Can he return with the same level of improvement we say a few weeks ago? I hope so! And so will those fans who have tickets to the home clash with Spurs in a fortnights time!