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Pellegrini must take Newport game seriously

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OPINION

After picking up their first victory of the season against Watford on Saturday, West Ham will have set their sights on a successful campaign.

That is both in the Premier League and the available cup competitions – with the Hammers set to face Newport County in the second round of the League Cup on Tuesday.

West Ham will need to be switched on at all times against the Welsh club, who enjoyed a great FA Cup run last season beating Leicester City and taking Tottenham to a replay.

With player fitness high on the agenda in the Hammers’ quest for European football, Manuel Pellegrini is surely expected to make changes for the game.

Claret and Hugh have released what the Chilean may do in regards to rotating his squad, with the club source naming eight potential changes with youngsters Ben Johnson and Nathan Holland named as possible options.

Pellegrini has to be careful he doesn’t upset the dynamic of the squad by potentially making changes.

The manager also needs to be careful in the sense that the board will be watching closely.

It was previously claimed by journalist Sam Inkersole, on a Football.London live blog Q&A, that the board members are desperate for a cup run this season.

With that in mind, should the Hammers be outplayed and eventually knocked out against League Two opposition in Newport – Pellegrini would come under serious scrutiny, nothing that could risk his future in East London, but the board would surely be angered by anything less than a win.

The time for youngsters may have to wait, with Newport already proving they are more than capable of beating any team that travels to their home ground.

Pellegrini must be extra careful with potential changes, with the board’s desperation surely needing to rub off on the squad.

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