OPINION
The international break is nearly over – meaning that West Ham fans can start looking towards their next game rather than reminiscing on their last.
Not that their clash against Huddersfield is anything to forget, the Irons coming out on top in an enthralling 4-3 win in front of their own fans, but it was hardly a performance that the east London faithful would have been too happy with.
The three points might have been in the bag but there were a handful of performances out there which left plenty to be desired – and manager Manuel Pellegrini has issued a warning that such displays are by no means acceptable at home.
He told Football.London: “If you ask me if I prefer to play very well but lose, or play very bad but win, I always prefer to win.
“Of course it was a strange game, we cannot play in that way at home. We had a strong reaction but we have analysed why we were making those mistakes.”
Such analysis will no doubt have the manager and his backroom staff singling out individuals for both praise and criticism – but who will be sweating over their place in the side?
No one was outstanding but there were some shockers out there against the Terriers and Issa Diop, Pablo Zabaleta and Felipe Anderson must be a trio of stars who face a nervy future over the next couple of weeks.
The centre back was abysmal, there is no putting it lightly, and with Fabian Balbuena waiting for a chance to return to the side he has to know such performances are only going to end with the axe.
Likewise for Zabaleta, who has Ryan Fredericks and even youngster Ben Johnson waiting to usurp him in the pecking order – his performance, which lacked quality at both ends of the pitch, has surely left him in the firing line.
Lastly, what has happened to ever present Anderson?
Appearing in all of their 31 league games, the summer signing was almost completely anonymous against Huddersfield and looks bereft of any sort of confidence with inaccurate passing and generally poor play.
The manager has warned his stars that what he saw before the international break was unacceptable – will anyone suffer the axe as a result? That remains to be seen, but this trio cannot be safe.
