During the summer transfer window, and following the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini, there was a palpable feel-good factor among West Ham supporters. However, that excitement has diminished somewhat following successive league defeats.
A difficult opening weekend defeat to Liverpool was coupled with a disappointing collapse against Bournemouth on Saturday. Naturally, the successive defeats have evoked a sense of sorrow among some fans, but a sense of poise and realism is vital as we approach a crucial period in our fixture list.
Without question, the board deserves credit for the manner in which they conducted our transfer business, but with numerous players joining the club, it was always going to take time for the new additions to familiarise themselves with the club and the demands of playing in a new league. Furthermore, one must recognise that the process of implementing original ideas and different systems can often be arduous. Thus, it’s unlikely that Pellegrini’s philosophy will be acted upon instantaneously.
The reality of our situation is that we might have to wait a few weeks before we begin to reap the benefits of Pellegrini’s style of play. Moreover, on the basis of our first two games, it’s plausible to suggest that the Chilean is unsure of the best system to deploy with the squad. The 4-2-3-1 formation employed against Liverpool was discarded in favour of a more conventional 4-4-2 strategy against Bournemouth, and we’ve failed to achieve a single point.
Accordingly, this reinforces the need for composure as Pellegrini attempts to find the most effective solution that will utilise the stars at his disposal. Even though we face the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United over the coming weeks, I’m faithful that the team will begin to perform in accordance with Pellegrini’s intentions. In the meantime, we must remain calm.
What are your thoughts? Let us know!
