Declan Rice makes bold claim about West Ham hopes if Manuel Pellegrini can improve three things

He may be the youngest member of West Ham’s first team but Declan Rice is not hiding under the growing pressure.

The midfield enforcer has been suffering of late as West Ham’s season falters.

West Ham are without a win in six games and have slipped to 13th in the league.

Supporters are angry and the press are piling the pressure on after early season predictions of a top six finish.

Photo by Leila Coker MI News NurPhoto via Getty Images

Struggling Hammers face daunting fixture list

West Ham also face a daunting run of fixtures over the next two months, starting at Burnley this Saturday.

As a result, Manuel Pellegrini has come under increasing pressure.

Despite the doom and gloom, Rice has issued a bold prediction that West Ham can ‘100 per cent’ still make the top six (Sky Sports).

But only if Pellegrini can ensure the side improves on three fronts.

Rice says West Ham must improve in three key areas

“We’re going through a little blip now, it happens to every team. It’s about how we get out of it. We need to be more confident on the pitch, we need to be more defensively structured and we need to take our chances because in games we’ve had chances to kill the game off.

“100 per cent (West Ham can finish in the top six). I think if you look from fifth to about 13th, there’s about four points between six or seven teams. If we beat Burnley on the weekend you’re back up to seventh or eighth, so it’s not too far away.”

Photo by Arfa Griffiths West Ham United FC via Getty Images

Time for West Ham stars to match Rice’s determination

Rice makes some salient points. His maturity and positive attitude is refreshing and much-needed.

The problem is West Ham look a million miles from the team which finished last season in swashbuckling style and got this term off to an equally impressive start.

Rice never hides on the pitch or off it. It is time for some of his teammates to step up and do the same.