West Ham fans may have finally started to see the turn around in form that will see Manuel Pellegrini keep his job, and even if it has come later than they will have all wanted, at least it’s come. It also looks like this change has been sparked by the fact that the Irons are using two upfront.
The start of something special?!
@Michailantonio x @HallerSeb pic.twitter.com/AtuSD1GuEs
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 17, 2019
That was certainly the major change that we all saw against Southampton on the weekend. The Hammers went into the clash with a 4-4-2 shape, and the two men who were trusted with the job of scoring the goals were Sebastien Haller and Michail Antonio.
It was, of course, Haller who grabbed the only goal of the game against the Saints, and even if his effort was a miss-hit shot, it still found the bottom corner and was something for the Hammers to celebrate as they recorded a huge win that they’ll be able to savour over Christmas.
Can Pellegrini save himself from here?
Yes
No
You can read the Hammers’ thoughts on the strike partnership here:
Antonio is always a game changer in his day! We just don’t see it enough. Hopefully this is the start of revitalised form for the both of them
— Jed (@Jed_rg) December 17, 2019
Ihave been saying this for months.. fantastic pairing . When they gel they will batter defences ..dont care what team they are.
— david wilkinson (@wilko447) December 17, 2019
Antonio and Haller with Anderson playing as a 10 behind .
— Joe (@BrysonJoe6) December 18, 2019
There you go!
— Robert Coles (@rwjcoles) December 17, 2019
Lets hope.
— || (@WHUFC_USA_2008) December 17, 2019
Shame we don’t play again until Boxing Day. A home win would be nice as well.
— Roy Peter Luxton (@royles75) December 18, 2019
The Hammers have got loads of time for Antonio and Haller playing together upfront, and will be desperate to see what the pair can do when they properly hit their stride together.