Tactics

Mark Noble tells West Ham to stay patient with Manuel Pellegrini and reap rewards like Liverpool

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West Ham United are only two games into a new era under Manuel Pellegrini but already the vultures are circling.

The Hammer suffered a heavy defeat to Liverpool and more worryingly a 2-1 reverse at home to Bournemouth last time.

That has seen everything from Pellegrini’s tactics, transfers and even his appointment being questioned.

Supporters, scarred by two torrid seasons since the move to the London Stadium, are also concerned.

But writing in his column in the Evening Standard, West Ham skipper Mark Noble is pleading for time.

Time for the players to get to know the system and what Pellegrini wants.

Photo by AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images

‘We are playing a new way and it is going to take time’

And time for the manager to get things right.

Do that and Noble, whose own place in the team looks in doubt under the Chilean, says West Ham could reap the rewards like Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.

“Obviously, under the manager, we are playing a new way and it is going to take time,” Noble told the Evening Standard.

‘I respect his words’

“I was reading the Liverpool programme and James Milner had a column there, where he said that when he came to the club, it was really tough to learn the way Jurgen Klopp wanted to play.

“I know ‘Millie’ well, he’s a good footballer, a real athlete and I respect his words. I believe that, in Klopp’s first season, 2015-16, after he had taken over in October, Liverpool finished eighth and we beat them twice at home, in the Premier League and the FA Cup.

Photo by Andrew Powell Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Project Pellegrini about more than just results

“So it does take time but in the Premier League these days, you don’t get much of that.

“I did, in last week’s column, ask for some patience and I am sure the vast majority of our supporters – and there are no better in the league – understand.”

Noble makes a salient point and West Ham would do well to take it on board.

With a tough looking fixture list West Ham may find themselves in a difficult situation after 10 games.

But if the Hammers stick with the man they entrusted to spend £100 million then the future can be brighter. After all, project Pellegrini isn’t just about results; it is about rediscovering an identity and style of play the fans can be proud of.

That is something Rio Ferdinand feels passionately about as he went on a two-minute rant about his first club, which you can read in full here.