Despite all that is going on at West ham United at the moment. The Hammers have still got Manuel Pellegrini in charge and the Chilean can still make things right at The London Stadium. It won’t be easy and it will take a near-perfect run but it can be done.
The Irons have been given the news from the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee that Pellegrini has got just one last chance to turn things around, and should they fall to a defeat at St. Mary’s this weekend then he will be sacked from his role as the club’s manager.
Things don’t have to go down that way, though, and whilst it will take some work to get the fans back onside, it can be done. If Pellegrini switches up his system, uses two upfront and plays a back three to allow Ryan Fredericks and one of Aaron Creswell or Arthur Masuaku to go forward as wing-backs, then the supporters will be a lot happier.
If the Hammers travel to the south coast and win convincingly by a few goals with the likes of Sebastien Haller, Felipe Anderson and Pablo Fornals running riot in a different system then there truly is no reason why he can’t start to win over some of his doubters.
Should things be turned around in Stratford, it will take time and a lot of good performances. Away to Southampton will not be an easy game and the Saints are battling relegation alongside the Hammers, so this could easily be viewed as a six-pointer, but it’s the perfect chance for Pellegrini and his side to step up.
Can Pellegrini save himself from here?
Yes
No
Whatever side that the Hammers’ lineup with will get scrutiny from some fans, but if there’s a serious change of shape and system that brings about an improved level of performance then it will be really hard to complain, and it could spark the beginning of Pellegrini’s West Ham resurgence.
