West Ham finally have big-team mentality under Manuel Pellegrini, says Aaron Cresswell

Points sealed: Cresswell whipped in a late free-kick to make sure of victory
West Ham United FC via Getty Ima
Giuseppe Muro23 September 2019

Aaron Cresswell has hailed West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini for helping transform the mood around the club since he was appointed just over a year ago.

West Ham beat Manchester United 2-0 on Sunday to move up to fifth in the Premier League and send a message that they are serious contenders to qualify for Europe this season.

There have been some difficult times for West Ham since they moved to the London Stadium in 2016 but there is now a real feeling of optimism.

The positive atmosphere in east London on Sunday was in stark contrast to some of toxic scenes in recent years and belief is growing that the Hammers can finish in the top six.

West Ham captain Mark Noble said there is a “feel-good factor” at the club and Cresswell has praised the impact of Pellegrini.

“The gaffer has done a fantastic job since he came in,” said left-back Cresswell, who scored a stunning free-kick six minutes from time to seal victory against United. “He has banged on about having the mentality of a big team and we want to push into that top seven or eight.

“The whole place is a lot happier than what it was when we first moved here [to the London Stadium]. We always knew it was going to be difficult, it was a big change, not just for the players but for the fans.

“Results and performances always help. It does not matter what the situation is, if you are winning games and doing well then the mood is good.”

West Ham did not have to be at their best against a woeful United but goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Cresswell ensured a third successive league win. The victory piled the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and moved the Hammers up to fourth until Arsenal’s late fightback against Aston Villa.

Pellegrini has had the backing of the West Ham board, and co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold also deserve credit for the position the Hammers are in.

Their relationship with supporters was at breaking point after the ugly scenes during the 3-0 home defeat against Burnley in March last year but they have backed Pellegrini in the transfer market and are winning back trust. There is stability behind the scenes at West Ham and the appointment of Mario Husillos as director of football has proved to be a good move.

In Pictures | West Ham vs Man Utd | 22/09/2019

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There were a few eyebrows raised last week when Noble said in his Standard Sport column that West Ham can even break in the Champions League places this season. But with Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all struggling for consistency, West Ham look ready to challenge the established top six along with Leicester and Everton.

Cresswell said: “We know it is a difficult job to do that but why not if we continue? I think it was three or four years ago when we just missed out on the Champions League by three or four points. You look at Leicester winning the league. These things can happen and why can’t it be West Ham? We have just got to keep this momentum going and keep the belief in the lads. We are full of confidence and belief is a massive thing in football.”

West Ham travel to Oxford United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and then play Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Everton and Sheffield United before the international break next month. Pellegrini seems to have stamped out his side’s inconsistency from last season and that run of games presents an opportunity for the Hammers to build on their strong start.

West Ham could be without Manuel Lanzini for a month after the midfielder suffered bruising to his foot playing for Argentina earlier this month. Lanzini has been in fine form and the injury is a blow to Pellegrini, who is also without Michail Antonio.

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