Green Street Hammers
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Southampton match is a lose-lose for West Ham

By Jay Korman

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United shakes hands with Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on December 27, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United shakes hands with Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on December 27, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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As the Hammers come off of yet another defeat, time seems to have run out for Manuel Pellegrini in East London. Rumors have circulated that Pellegrini could be sacked after the match, which has left many West Ham fans in a conundrum for the match this Saturday.

I would never actively root for West Ham to lose any match, however, this Saturday’s match against Southampton will be a tough one to watch. Rumors are flying around the West Ham universe that, should Manuel Pellegrini lose this match, he will be sacked by the club. Should this be true, and based on the clubs results this season, it seems very likely, then West Ham fans will be of two minds watching the team play this weekend.

It is very clear, to this West Ham fan, that Manuel Pellegrini is simply not the man to bring this club forward. After a very promising first season, Pellegrini has shown this season that he is unable to adapt to the way other managers and teams set up in the Premier League. Pellegrini has been stubborn with his tactics and has refused to change formation with a struggling squad. Many players who performed well for the club last season have seen a major dip in their performances, and overall, Pellegrini has not displayed that he can be the man to take this club to the next level.

Another major issue with the manager has been his inability to figure out how to get club-record signing Sebastien Haller integrated into the team and playing at his best. Haller, who started off the season firing on all cylinders, is currently not in Pellegrini’s first-choice XI. It is unacceptable to sign a player not only with the price tag of Haller but also the talent and pedigree of the player, only to have him sitting on the bench. It is a massive failure that Haller is currently not fitting in well with the club.

This Saturday will have West Ham fans in two very different mindsets. On the one hand, you always want to root for the club to have as much success as possible. On the other hand, most feel that winning this match would just paper over the cracks of the clubs biggest issues, and keep Pellegrini in charge for a bit while longer, just delaying the inevitable sack.

The club and its fans are in a tough spot right now and the board needs to act swiftly with some tough decisions, or the club could be in real relegation danger this season. So when we all turn on the match on Saturday, I think its important to cheer the boys on, just be cognizant of the bigger, overarching problems at the club, and demand better from a club we as fans pour our blood, sweat, and tears into.