West Ham have not had the ideal start to their Premier League season to say the least, but should the Hammers faithful start to worry?
Manuel Pellegrini’s side were defeated 5-0 in their opening Premier League clash when they played host to defending champions Manchester City. They started the game positively taking every opportunity to attack the City goal, but come the final whistle they had only won in one area and that was aerial battles.
However, City’s experience and far superior style of play saw them pull away thanks to a Raheem Sterling hat trick.
The clash at the London Stadium also set the benchmark for the use of VAR as the Hammers had fortunes turn their way when a goal by Gabriel Jesus was denied for offside, so, without doubt, Manchester City were unlucky not to have come away with a six, seven or even 8-0 win.
So stepped up Brighton, a side that had defeated Watford 3-0 in the opening game week, a must-win game for West Ham in many fans opinions.
But West Ham lacked any direction against the Seagulls coached by ex Swansea City boss Graham Potter for just the second time.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side had a total of just eight shots and none presented any real chance of scoring. Meanwhile, Brighton played overlapping football with Dan Burn having the biggest impact on the tie, coming close to scoring in the opening minute when his header went over the crossbar.
Another factor that could make United’s fans worry is the decisions Pellegrini makes when it comes to substitutions. It’s without a doubt that the former Manchester City boss is one of the best managers in the game.
However, substituting a midfielder who has barely any impact on a game in the form of Carlos Sanchez for the Javier Hernandez makes the mind boggle unless it was Pellegrini playing for a draw.
With two games gone in the season now is the time not to panic, errors can be fixed, changes can be made. I am pretty certain that West Ham are in the right hands going into next week’s clash with London rivals Watford.
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