Green Street Hammers
Fansided

No need for full overhaul – yet. But West Ham need strong turnaround.

By Scott Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United reacts prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sheffield United at London Stadium on October 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United reacts prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sheffield United at London Stadium on October 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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Football is a tricky game. When you’re winning and things are going well, nothing seems easier, and everyone’s happy. But now West Ham are struggling. And pressure is mounting on Pellegrini.

October was meant to be a a proving month for West Ham and Pellegrini. Home matches against Palace and Sheffield United and an away clash with a struggling Everton offered up a potential 9 points and a chance to show we were a different team now. All we got proof of was that we’re the same inconsistent mess as before.

The loss to Newcastle was so concerning not just because they’re awful, but because 3-2 was flattering. 4-1 probably would have been flattering. And the issue is that Pellegrini has tried to turn the Hammers into something we’re not, with some confusing changes in the top half of the pitch just as we were seeking creative spark. But all is not lost.

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Those of you simply calling for blood need to remember that being a Hammers fan comes with its ups and downs. Always has, likely (unless we get a massive billionaire come in willing to spend spend spend) always will be. Pellegrini was manager of a Man City side that broke records for their attacking exploits, so we can get back to a free flowing side. But he has to realise where he’s going wrong.

First of all, when you’re missing creativity and ball movement, keeping Lanzini and Fornals on the bench is probably not the way to go. I agree that neither of them have been particularly great, but Fornals almost set up Snograss’ second against Sheffield and we’ve all seen Lanzini change the game with a small run and interchange from time to time. They are potential match winners, and we need to find a way to integrate them into our side.

Following on from that, I think we can all agree that our current selection has meant that the forwards have been completely stranded in recent weeks. Haller has been playing well, but he’s only human, knocking it in to him then failing to help him on the follow up won’t help anyone. Yarmolenko has been playing well, but Pellegrini has seen him as a target for dropping as well. It’s all over the place, and whilst the players must do better, the manager needs to right the wrongs.

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We play Burnley away this weekend, and it needs to be a change of emphasis from Pellegrini. No more pointless possession. No more static midfield. Get the wingers driving at the inside line of the fullbacks with our own overlapping. Get a central player driving at the defence. Whip some crosses into the box. If we create, then we will score. If we lose again, there’s a real danger we’ll be making it a habit.