Premier League

Cundy not convinced by Pellegrini

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Jason Cundy claimed he was not convinced by West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini if he was being honest.

The former Chelsea defender shared he personally thought that 10th was the lowest position the Hammers could have finished in the league last season, and added that he never thought they looked capable of finishing seventh.

Cundy then added that he believes if the Hammers finish in the bottom half this season, then it will be a disappointment.

“I’m not convinced by Pellegrini if I’m honest,” said Cundy on talkSPORT (18:12, Friday, August 23rd).

“I’m not totally convinced that given where West Ham want to be and the money they’ve spent…I think when he went out to China to manage he never envisioned coming back to the Premier League, I think West Ham have given him that chance.

“Last season they finished 10th, that’s probably the lowest they could have finished last year, Stuart (Pearce) is right they were never fighting relegation, and you never really genuinely thought that they could get seventh, there was a period where you had a couple of good results…but.

“If they finish in the bottom half of the table, it’s a bit meh isn’t it for West Ham?”

OPINION

Two games into the season and with just one point on the board, it seems pundits are openly questioning Pellegrini. The Hammers had a difficult first game of the season, as facing last season’s Premier League champions Manchester City was arguably the worst start any side could be given, so was Cundy honestly expecting them to make a flying start to their 2019/20 campaign? While the pundit may believe that on paper, the Hammers should have brushed Brighton aside, the Seagulls maybe this season’s surprise package seeing as the beat Watford 3-0 in their other league outing. This means a 1-1 draw with them away from home may look better in hindsight. Also, what was wrong with a 10th-place finish last season? Pellegrini arrived at the club in the summer, with several new players in tow, and he needed a season to put his mark on the side and get everyone settled into his preferred system, so 10th was an acceptable finish. This is especially the case when you considered the Hammers finished 13th in their 2017/18 campaign, as it showed they made progress under Pellegrini.

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