West Ham United star Issa Diop has lifted the lid on a new tactic from Manuel Pellegrini which proves the team are constantly evolving.
West Ham have made huge strides since the arrival of Pellegrini last year.
From superb recruitment to rediscovering a style and identity, the Hammers are infinitely happier under the Chilean.
That has been reflected in the fact West Ham have the best home record outside the top six since Pellegrini took over last summer.
After recovering in impressive style from the 5-0 drubbing by Manchester City on the opening day, West Ham have been tipped to challenge the top six.
Hammers tipped for top six tilt
Many pundits and fans feel the Premier League is wide open besides the obvious top two of Manchester City and Liverpool.
Proof the team is evolving under the Chilean tactician comes from some interesting comments made by star defender Issa Diop this week.
Diop told the club’s official website Pellegrini has a new tactic which he loves.
The centre back has been given the freedom to burst forward on occasion, which was evident by his surging run which almost ended with a goal against Norwich City last time out.
It shows how far West Ham have come from the pragmatic days of David Moyes and Sam Allardyce where the Hammers were more concerned with keeping the opposition out than being on the front foot.
Diop reveals Pellegrini freedom which highlights West Ham evolution
“Maybe one day it will end with a goal, but it’s not my target!” Diop told whufc.com.
“Now I do this more during the training sessions, when I did this before, after the first pass I stopped, but the manager told me: ‘Go! Go!’ so now I follow his instructions!
“It’s not something I work on in particular in training, but we know what to do when I go. Dec (Declan Rice) drops into the defence and I go! I only do it when I feel it is the right time to do this. The thing is, if I do this, I need to be efficient and only pick the right moments to go.
“Like everyone, when I was young, I started playing as a striker, so going forward is not new to me. One day a goal will come, I am sure, but we will see!”
The West Ham way
Music to the ears of West Ham fans who like to see attacking, entertaining football.
And refreshing that Pellegrini is encouraging his players to take the game to the opposition.
Diop certainly has the ability on the ball.
He almost scored a goal of the season contender when he rampaged from his centre back position right through the Tottenham team in last season’s historic away victory.
But the Frenchman’s shot was palmed around the post by Hugo Lloris.
It seems there is going to be plenty more where that came from with Pellegrini’s exciting, attack-minded tactics.
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