5 Lessons learned from West Ham’s win over Cardiff

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Manuel Pellegrini, West Ham Head Coach looks on ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United and Cardiff City at London Stadium on December 04, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Manuel Pellegrini, West Ham Head Coach looks on ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United and Cardiff City at London Stadium on December 04, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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West Ham picked up their second win in less than a week last night, putting 3 goals past Cardiff. But it was an interesting night for the Hammers and there were certainly some things for Pellegrini to look at.

6 points from 6 is never to be looked at badly, and for West Ham it’s a timely boost heading into a packed schedule. It represents a lot of good work from Pellegrini and the side since the start of the season. However this isn’t work over and there are a lot of things we need to sort if we’re to make the most of this ‘easy’ run.

With Arnie out can we get goals? Is Fabianski the best value keeper in the Premier League? Will we every give a consistent performance over the full 90 minutes? Who knows, but we think these are big things to discuss from the 3-1 Cardiff win.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Lucas Perez of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Cardiff City at London Stadium on December 4, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Lucas Perez of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Cardiff City at London Stadium on December 4, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Arnie isn’t our only source of goals, and Perez has something to offer

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One of the big issues I thought we’ve had over the past 12 months is a source of goals. Arnie has been the main source of everything goal bound and without him we’ve looked toothless, but over the last week we’ve seen a hint of that changing. Hernandez and Perez both got braces and our wingers are becoming more and more a threat. It’s looking up.

That is especially important given Arnie will need to be rested soon. He was already carrying a niggle and now he’s picked up another. Perez and Chicharito will likely link up on Saturday, and that doesn’t fill me with the dread it did before. There is life in both of them and I think Perez especially wants to prove something at the club. Hernandez has goals in him, but may be playing for a move away as much for glory here.

Perez didn’t get too much time or recognition at Arsenal but is a clever player who is good on the ball and in the box. With fast and creative players around him I think he could certainly score a few goals for the club over the rest of the season. Anderson’s vision seems to be getting better every game and there is certainly scope there for a fruitful relationship.