OPINION
It’s perhaps a little illogical to suggest that West Ham have turned a corner in the past week, given that they have lost their past two matches.
Last Monday they were beaten by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, before a trip to Old Trafford on Saturday evening led to a wholly disappointing 2-1 defeat after a spirited performance.
There will be those that attribute this sudden upturn in quality, albeit without the reward of vital points, as another illustration of the Hammers’ frustrating tendency to turn it on against the bigger sides, but the reason for this relative purple patch might be a whole lot simpler.
It is no coincidence that these two outings came about just as Fabian Balbuena was reintroduced into the starting 11.
The Paraguayan was a rock at the heart of the Irons’ defence at the start of the season, and was unfortunate to pick up an injury when he did.
Since then, the Hammers have looked a little frail at the back, with Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna both fluctuating drastically in their form.
Having a shaky defence is always going to have a massive impact on a side, and there have been matches this season that they surely would have won had it not been for the flaws in their backline.
Now, however, with Balbuena back in the lineup, they will hope that they can start to rebuild again.
Yes, they have conceded twice in the two matches that he has started, but he exudes a confidence that Ogbonna in particular doesn’t, and his reintroduction has been a success.
Hopefully the seven cap international has proven to Pellegrini that he is undroppable.
