OPINION
West Ham have blown any memories of their early season struggles to the recesses of their mind with what have been some top quality performances of late – although injury has threatened to break up what has been a well balanced squad for Manuel Pellegrini.
A confident 3-1 win away at Everton – their first of the season – was followed up by a resolute 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea, a match which demonstrated the very best of their defensive capabilities.
If that clash was all about proving their worth at the back, then their League Cup outing against Macclesfield was about how talented their fringe figures can be going forward, with an 8-0 mauling of League Two side Macclesfield Town.
However, it was the 3-1 victory over Manchester United which brought their first choice attack and defence together to culminate in a superb display, their front three of Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko and Marko Arnautovic all forcing the ball into the back of the net, albeit the Ukrainian requiring a hefty deflection.
However, all three of the forwards were brought off by Pellegrini, Yarmolenko because of an injury blow, and losing the triple threat up top would be a bitter pill for the Hammers to swallow as they look towards their clash with Brighton on Friday night.
Thankfully for the Irons, reliable news source Claret and Hugh have delivered the important report that despite initial doubts, Yarmonlenko and the rest of those with question marks next to their names look ready to take on the Seagulls.
As such, it leaves Pellegrini a no-brainer of a decision when it comes to choosing his starting XI, and that is because not a single change needs to be made.
The Irons were on top of their game against the Red Devils and if they put in the same fight, desire and quality against any of their top flight rivals, they are in with a chance of winning.
Changing things up might keep his men fresh moving forward but they all deserve to keep their places and prove themselves once again in the top flight, and this is likely to be the easiest week of Pellegrini’s West Ham career so far when it comes to tactics for the clash – same again, please.