Six Things Manuel Pellegrini should do to right West Ham

A huge opportunity is at hand for West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini during this International break to reorganize and progress back up the table to a respectable level.

The status quo is not going to cut it, however. If the Gaffer doesn’t use this time wisely, the calls for his removal will only grow louder as the questions asked about his squad, training, and set up will continuously get louder.

If I was Pellegrini, this is how I would begin to turn this season around, right now.

1 – Open up “Training Camp” During the Break

We’ve already heard that the manager has told the players that they can’t leave town because of training. That’s a good start—but I say take it farther. I realize some players’ legs could be tired, but others aren’t playing at all. This team needs practice and needs to be drilled and the atmosphere here to get that done in a short amount of time should be similar to his double (or triple) sessions from summer

2 – Announce to the Squad that All Positions are an Open Competition

Injuries be damned. Injuries provide another chance to open up competition across the squad for spots in the XI and on the bench. No matter the players’ wages, reputation or status—everyone will be judged on performance in recent games and on the training ground heading into Spurs.

Seriously take a look at those players making an impact on the U23 side. The names we all know and have been clamoring for. If they show the spirit, the talent and legs (and defending!) to be considered, they should be considered. Not dismissed. Chelsea seems to be doing fine with their infusion of youth.

3 – Drill on Set Pieces Until its Dark Out

This goes for both ends of the pitch. First- Defend; defend; defend. And then Pellegrini should use his massive experience to draw up variations on set pieces from the offensive end. Corners and Free Kicks and how to make some of these lead to goals outside of Aaron Cresswell knocking one home.

With the talent and the size in the squad, we should be a threat here at all times. Look at the top 4 and then look at the top 4 on goals. If you can’t score you can’t win. West Ham need to score from set-pieces and for gosh sake they need to stop the opponent from scoring.

Or, stop their goalie from punching in an own goal.

4 – Give David Martin a Chance

Speaking of punching in an OG, give David Martin a chance. He can’t be any worse than Roberto.

At the very least, players know who is playing well. Look at the confidence Lukasz Fabianksi instills into the entire side. And then consider the lack of confidence the team playing in front of Roberto has in him at the moment. Remember the Joe Hart era? Everyone could see what the players saw with him between the sticks. And it was the same for Adrian towards the end of his starting tenure when every play was an adventure. The manager put in Darren Randolph for a stretch and it lifted everyone.

Its called addition by subtraction.

5 – Name Declan Rice Captain until Noble Comes Back

Speaking of confidence, its been nice to give the armband to Aaron Cresswell, Pablo Zabaleta, even Angelo Ogbanna has worn it. Niceties are not for teams sitting 16th.

But the future captain of this side is Declan Rice. Some say his play and his confidence has waned since the last international break. The Manager can show his own leadership here and pull the young man aside, reassure him, give the armband and instill that confidence in him.

All you have to do is watch his attitude on the pitch as after Mark Noble went off it was and is, Rice, who barks out instructions to his teammates.

Besides if this all goes the way I want it to for the Spurs fixture, Cresswell and Zabaleta won’t be on the pitch to wear it anyways. And much less experienced players than Declan Rice will be around him.

6 – Work on New Formations and Tactics

And by this I mean new. Not going from a 4-1-4-1 to a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1. Those have already been implemented at various times. I am suggesting taking a page out of David Moyes’ playbook here.

The Hammers have to stop goals from going in and they need to support a second tier keeper, let’s try three at the back. That allows them to play wingers too and that seems to suit Arthur Masuaku and Ryan Fredericks’ skill set.

If Sebastian Haller needs a strike partner, let’s quit messing around and start the match with someone (Michail Antonio anyone?) playing alongside our £42 million man. If Pellegrini prefers Antonio on the wing, then start Albian Ajeti and see what he has.

I for one would at least like to see what a 3-5-2 looks like. It would then give him more options in substituting midfielders based on how the game is going at the moment. I could envision 3 at the back with Cresswell tucked in on the left alongside Ogbonna and Issa Diop. Masuaku and Ryan Fredericks on the Wings; Rice, Pablo Fornals, and Anderson (or Robert Snodgrass and Felipe Anderson) fill out the midfield with Haller and his partner up top. Now, this is starting to resemble a squad where ALL of our best XI (that aren’t out injured) can get onto the pitch together.

And I haven’t even considered Nathan Holland or any of the other U23’s that could be pushing to start as mentioned before.

When the board hired a manager with Manuel Pellegrini’s resume and pedigree I was on board. I continued to tout “In Pellegrini we Trust” for much of last season. But now, I want to see it from the Manager again. Show me that you are capable of change, that you have the desire to win and to right the ship. Prove that your arrogance isn’t holding you back by trotting out the same old ideas (or lack thereof).

Next. Why West Ham fans need to remain patient with Declan Rice. dark

The best managers in any sport have the ability to get the most out of their players AND they adapt their systems and philosophies to best suit the teams they are coaching. Manuel Pellegrini has a crucial crossroads to navigate at this point in the season for himself and his squad. I want to see if he has the temperament and talent to do something meaningful with the opportunity.

Six things Manuel Pellegrini should do to Right West Ham’s sinking ship

By Jeff Catlin | Nov 14, 2019