Written by: Michael Randall | @oklahammer1
A solid win over Arsenal followed by defeat at Bournemouth, two fixtures that epitomize West Ham’s frustrations this last decade, leaving the question, “Where is the consistency?”
Enter Manuel Pellegrini. There’s little doubt the Chilean’s arrival was an eye-opener considering Sullivan and Gold’s penchant for cheaper options in the past. Had the PR missteps and barrage of ill will from a section of fans finally taken its toll? Regardless, there was no doubting the excitement that came attached with their new man.
Big managers tend to hop from winning team to team, but Pellegrini has distinguished himself apart, showing he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. He provides what some would argue the board’s first real positive move taking the club forwards. Allardyce and Moyes provided an uninspiring yet effective service, while Bilic managed a few notable highlights during his tenure. But what all three managers never could master was the key to West Ham’s most lacking attribute: consistency.
Just over the halfway stage, it appears Pellegrini is yet to crack that nut. The Bournemouth defeat wasn’t an unfortunate anomaly, with Burnley, Brighton, and Huddersfield among others having frustrated West Ham this season. But so too we’ve seen notable wins over Arsenal and Man United, and four wins from six in a busy December. Not quite the consistency we crave, but are we getting close?
On the field it’s no secret the team struggled at first. Four defeats at the onset of the season and the familiar doom and gloom threatened to overshadow the manager’s arrival. Tactically there were missteps too, such as Pellegrini’s insistence in sticking with Masuaku at fullback, where his defensive frailties chipped away any good grace his previous forays down the wing had earned. Likewise there were reservations over some of the new arrivals, namely Sanchez, Perez and – if only for proving the naysayers correct – Jack Wilshere.
Anderson and Yarmolenko were slow off the mark, but these two in particular highlight a paradox in football today. In a results business, managers aren’t getting the time to build their team, while players are in for immediate criticism if they don’t hit the ground running. Anderson caught most of it given his huge price tag, while Yarmo had to contend with cameos before he really started to shine.
Looking at the positives Pellegrini has brought us, chief among them is perhaps Declan Rice’s rise to prominence, culminating in a well earned long-term contract. Balbuena was a surprise given the fee attached, and the South American has forged an almost telepathic alliance with youngster Diop, no less thanks to the solid and calm presence of Fabianski behind them. The manager’s willingness to deploy young players like Diangana and Xande Silva along with stalwarts in Zabaleta and Noble is further evidence of the Chilean’s stellar handling of his staff.
Then there’s Snodgrass, who looked doomed after being shipped out amid less than flattering comments from the Sullivans. Pellegrini has drawn the best out of the Scotsman who for some encapsulates what it means to wear the badge. Even Antonio is experiencing a resurgence of late, and is playing with a smile on his face again.
These changes don’t happen overnight and, Arnautovic aside, it’s certainly happening more often with Pellegrini. Not only does he have the confidence of his players, but so too the chairmen seem enthralled by the man they impressively managed to bring to the club. There’s no better demonstration of that than a hefty transfer kitty, and it’s here Pellegrini will make his mark.
If West Ham can find the patience, Pellegrini could provide the consistency. The results and performances are still mind boggling at times, but Pellegrini seems determined to remold West Ham into his vision. Boasting the club’s best win percentage to date, albeit from 27 games, it certainly looks like the Chilean is moving us in the right direction.
