West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has reportedly dropped a big hint over impending changes.
Pellegrini is a man under increasing pressure as speculation swirls over his future.
West Ham have not won for seven games and were battered 3-0 by Burnley last time out.
The manner of West Ham’s freefall – and the back-to-back defeats against Newcastle and Burnley – has sparked calls for change.
Goalkeeper situation central to West Ham’s slump
Supporters and pundits have been rounding on the Chilean. Central to West Ham’s slump has been the injury to star player Lukasz Fabianski.
The Poland star is out until January after injuring his upper thigh against Bournemouth.
His replacement Roberto Jimenez has been a disaster. The hapless Spaniard has been directly at fault for at least one goal in every game he has played so far besides the League Cup win at Newport County in August.
Roberto shambles
His performances against Newcastle and Burnley were shambolic. He has been labelled as one of the worst players ever to represent the club.
But according to a new report, Pellegrini has dropped a big hint at the changing ground that Roberto is set to be dropped for the game against Spurs after the international break.
Football Insider claims a West Ham source has told them that Pellegrini’s stance over Roberto has shifted behind the scenes.
And he is now set to turn to third choice goalkeeper David Martin for the first time.
Martin being used as ‘first team’ goalkeeper in training – report
According to Football Insider, the 33-year-old, who joined on a free transfer in the summer, will play in what Pellegrini considers the ‘first team’ during training ground matches over the next week or so.
If Martin makes a good impression he could be promoted into the starting XI for the huge clash against Spurs.
The news will be welcomed by Hammers fans who have been left embarrassed by Roberto’s displays.
It is a risky move from Pellegrini given the fact Martin has not played for so long and it is such a massive game, with so much riding on the result for both clubs.
But the Chilean has probably taken the view that things cannot get any worse given Roberto’s performances.
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