When West Ham United appointed Manuel Pellegrini in the summer there were many doubters.
Fans and pundits felt he was unsuited to West Ham having been used to using the riches of clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City to achieve success.
What many of them overlooked was the job he had done at the likes of Villareal and Malaga to make his name in the first place.
The Chilean made a disastrous start with four straight Premier League defeats.
Style and attitude just as impressive as results
That saw the vultures circle with Pellegrini made second favourite for the sack early on.
The Hammers have been transformed over time, though, and there is an air of positivity around the club not seen since 2015.
Three consecutive wins helps of course.
Doubters being proved wrong
But it is the style of football and big team mentality on display from Pellegrini’s injury-hit squad which has impressed the most.
Dubbed the ‘charming man’ by Manchester City fans, many doubted Pellegrini could lay down the law with “lesser” players if it was needed.
A new statistic has dispelled that myth, though, proving Pellegrini is the man to take West Ham forward.
Stat proves ‘Charming man’ has ruthless streak
Ruthless Pellegrini has made the third most substitutions before half-time in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal top the chart with 14 while under-performing Fulham are second with 11.
West Ham sit joint-third in that particular table with seven.
Of course a percentage of those will be down to injury.
But it proves Pellegrini is not scared to change things when they are not working.
That has been evidenced by a host of changes he has made at half-time since he took over.
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