OPINION
West Ham United midfielder Samir Nasri had the chance to show Manchester City that he still has the qualities to succeed, but he blew it after putting out a rather disappointing display on Wednesday.
The Hammers slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Etihad thanks to a controversial penalty decision, but to be honest, the scoreline somewhat flattered the team due to the inability to create anything in the final third all evening.
Andy Carroll replaced Marko Arnautovic in the starting line up and produced a rather underwhelming display, Felipe Anderson was not his usual creative self, and Nasri looked well off the pace and did not touch the ball until the 16th minute of the match.
If he wanted to stake his claim in the starting XI ahead of Robert Snodgrass, then he did not do a very good job of it in the slightest – Snodgrass is hardly going to be quaking in his boots after Nasri bordered on being invisible.
The glimpses of quality we have seen from the January signing in the few matches that he has played seemed to have disappeared on Wednesday night, and for this reason, he must be axed in order to accommodate Snodgrass once again.
Nasri had previously showed signs that he was ready to play on a regular basis, but if he cannot grasp such an opportunity firmly with both hands, then he does not deserve to be in the team.
This may seem harsh, but if the Irons are to hardly threaten in attack with him in the side, then it is clear that he is having a negative effect on the team.
It was simply not good enough from the playmaker and it is safe to say that the time that he has left at the London Stadium looks very bleak indeed.
Either way, Pellegrini must wield the axe on the Frenchman, as Wednesday was one of his worst displays in a West Ham shirt.
