West Ham United seem to have gone on the defensive after criticism over fitness levels.
Manuel Pellegrini was brought in on big money and backed with big money by West Ham’s standards.
But there has been little to suggest the Chilean will reverse the club’s fortunes.
It was all meant to be so different when the Hammers left Upton Park for the London Stadium.
Two torrid seasons struggling against the threat of relegation has been the reality.
That now looks likely to be a third if West Ham’s start to the season is anything to go by.
One alarming trait so far has been an apparent lack of workrate, fitness and effort.
It is what eventually did for Slaven Bilic last season as West Ham regularly propped up the statistics league for running, sprints and goals conceded late on (Daily Mail).
‘It’s a common theme’
David Moyes reversed that trend and had the Hammers grafting.
But now it has come to light that West Ham seem to have slipped back into bad habits.
According to various reports including The Daily Mail, only two clubs have covered less ground than Pellegrini’s men this season.
“It is a common theme this season,” The Daily Mail reports.
“In their four Premier League games so far, West Ham have run 65.6 miles per match.
“Only Manchester United (65.1 miles) and Cardiff (62.5 miles) have covered less ground.”
Ammunition for pundits and angry fans
That provided pundits and fans with plenty of ammunition to fire at Pellegrini and his Hammers.
It is a situation made worse by the revelation that the underfire manager has returned to Chile for the international break and given his players time off (The Telegraph).
Titled Team Behind the Team: Josh Ewens on keeping the Hammers in tip-top condition, West Ham clearly wanted supporters and the wider world to know the players ARE worked hard on their fitness.
‘We look at the GPS data to check players are getting what the need’
“Now, I work with Jose Cabello and Felix Cao, Ewens told the official website.
“Pre-season was all hands on deck and there was a big physical element to our work, with multiple sessions each day on the pitch and in the gym which need to be planned, set up, delivered and cleared up.
“On the pitch, the physical fitness components are very well planned by Jose to give them the work they need within the practices. This means we will have very intensive days including short, sharp work with the ball and others where they will do bigger area work to improve stamina.
“We then look at the GPS data to check the players are individually getting what they need from each day. The idea is that as much work as possible is done with the ball and based around game situations, which keeps the players motivated and working harder.”
Well you could have fooled us.
West Ham fans are not stupid. Giving everything for the shirt on the pitch is the only way to convince them.
Until that happens the Hammers will remain uncompetitive in the world’s most fiercely competitive league.
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