The good days are back for Manuel
MANUEL PELLEGRINI says West Ham have drawn a line under last season’s civil war.
Four wins on the spin and a return to the so-called ‘West Ham way’ of attacking football has lifted the Hammers to the brink of the European spots and led to a truce being called in the stands.
It was only nine months ago that demonstrations and pitch invasions, brought about by poor performances and the unpopular move to the London Stadium, threatened to tear the club apart.
But West Ham, who have received permission to increase the capacity on match days at the their stadium to 60,000, are united again with fans singing their manager’s name for the first time since he took over in the summer during the win at Fulham last Saturday.
“Maybe we are starting some good days at West Ham and we have to try to keep it that way until the end of the season,” said Pellegrini. “For me, having this good moment in the middle of the season is important for everyone.
“The fans are loud in the stadium and the players are playing with more trust. The London Stadium is now always full with fans and we need to feel that in every game.
“This is a good moment of the year for the club.
“I was not here at the end of last season but everyone is feeling we are making a change and we must keep that change.
“I know what happened last season and you cannot have a
WEST HAM WATFORD
Vgood season without everyone working altogether.”
Turkish club Galatasaray are ready to offer striker Andy Carroll a deal, with the centre forward’s contract at the Hammers set to run out at the end of this season.
Italian club Bologna have made a £9million offer for defender Angelo Ogbonna, and Valencia are also keen.
West Ham face Watford today with their manager
Javi Gracia having ordered special training to stop them conceding late goals. The Hornets were coasting at 3-0 against Cardiff last Saturday but almost surrendered victory by conceding twice in the last 10 minutes.
And Gracia’s men were poised for a 2-1 win at Everton in their previous match before being hauled back by Lucas Digne’s 96thminute free-kick.
Gracia said: “It has been causing me concern and it’s something we have to improve.
“I’ve spoken about it in training this week and we have worked on our defensive system because we need to adjust and improve little things.
“We need to know how we have conceded goals and then try to improve our position on the pitch.
“It’s something collective – the strikers and the midfield have to defend better.”