Premier League

Fabian Balbuena becomes the latest West Ham star to laud manager Manuel Pellegrini

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West Ham United star Fabian Balbuena has joined a host of players lavishing praise on manager Manuel Pellegrini.

When West Ham opened Pellegrini’s tenure with four straight Premier League defeats things did not look good.

The Chilean was made second favourite for the sack.

And he was written off by some fans and pundits who felt he was not the right fit for a second tier club like the Hammers having worked for elite clubs such as Manchester City and Real Madrid.

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Hammers want high five for top six

But West Ham have been transformed under the experienced boss.

Four wins on the bounce has pushed the East Londoners to within two points of sixth place.

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Pundits and some fans left red-faced after writing off Pellegrini’s West Ham

And they face Watford at home on Saturday looking to equal a 12-year-old record of five consecutive victories.

Pellegrini leads his team out with praise ringing in his ears from all directions.

Last week Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson issued an apology for judging Pellegrini’s West Ham too soon.

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‘He transmits the mentality of a winner’

Mark Noble, Felipe Anderson, Robert Snodgrass (Read here) and Andy Carroll (Read here) have all been waxing lyrical about their ‘special’ boss.

And now one of Pellegrini’s summer signings Fabian Balbuena has given the manager his backing too.

“We work as a big team, and try to play as a big team in the games. Of course the mentality of the manager is important,” Balbuena told the club’s official website.

“He transmits the mentality of a winner and all the guys recognise that philosophy and try to do our job very well, and on the pitch try to win games.”

Balbuena, a bargain capture from Corinthians, was named man of the match in the 2-0 win at Fulham last time out.

The Paraguayan also credited Pellegrini and West Ham for helping him to earn a recall to his national side.