Inconsistency to blame for West Ham’s slip-ups, says Pellegrini
>> LONDON: West Ham United’s freefall in the Premier League standings in the past few weeks is proof that teams cannot afford to be inconsistent and take their foot off the gas in a highly-competitive league, manager Manuel Pellegrini said.
West Ham were fifth in the standings last month after six games, which ignited debate over whether Pellegrini’s side could qualify for European competition next season if they finished in the top six.
However, one point from their last three games saw the London side slide to 11th and Pellegrini said a lack of concentration in the league could easily kill a team’s momentum.
“It’s tough for every game. Maybe [if we had beaten] Crystal Palace here at home... we would have been sixth or seventh in the table, but maybe after one game you can be four or five positions back,” Pellegrini told reporters.
“Every game you must play as if you’re playing against the best team. That’s why I don’t talk only about West Ham, there are big teams who for whatever reason cannot be consistent.
“You have 20 teams who all have money to get good players. That’s why it’s so important to play 100 percent concentrated, because if not, it’s very difficult to win the game.”
West Ham host promoted Sheffield United, who beat Arsenal to move up to ninth, today and Pellegrini praised his counterpart Chris Wilder, whose side have been unbeaten in four away games this season.
“They’re a consistent team,” the Chilean said. “Having come from the Championship... they’ve a difficult style — direct football, which we can prepare for,” he said. REUTERS