MX23RW : Monday, March 11 12:43:36
Mar 9, 2019 at 3pm UK at ​Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 32,458
CardiffCardiff City
2-0
West HamWest Ham United
Hoilett (4'), Camarasa (52')
FT(HT: 1-0)

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini wary of Cardiff threat

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini wary of Cardiff threat
© Reuters
Pellegrini tasted a 3-2 defeat on his last visit to the Cardiff City Stadium when in charge of Manchester City.

Manuel Pellegrini will warn his West Ham players not to take Cardiff lightly on Saturday.

The Hammers will be looking to remain in the hunt for seventh place and a potential Europa League spot when they head to Wales to take on the relegation-threatened Bluebirds.

Pellegrini is also desperate to avoid a repeat of his last trip to the Cardiff City Stadium, a shock 3-2 defeat while he was in charge of Manchester City.

"I remember that, we lost from two corners," Pellegrini said at his pre-match press conference.

"I hope that things change. That is just a statistic from last time. We need to play for 95 minutes and concentrate on every ball.

"It is my duty to convince the players that the position in the table of Cardiff will mean it is a more difficult game, not an easy one.

"They will play at home, they are fighting against relegation, they don't have many points difference to other teams above them.

"So we need to play with a high pace from the beginning, be a sharp team, be an aggressive team and try to attack and win the game."

West Ham will once again be without the perennially injured Jack Wilshere, with Pellegrini still unable to put a timescale on his return from his latest ankle problem.

"Any update? Not for the moment," he added. "We are going to give him the time to recover 100 per cent.

"Maybe next week he will start doing some work on the pitch but we must be calm with him, he needs to recover 100 per cent."

Pellegrini has, however, been boosted by the return to fitness of two key defenders.

Aaron Cresswell limped off during the first half against Newcastle last weekend, while Fabian Balbuena has been out since December with a knee injury.

"Aaron Cresswell worked with the team for the last two days, so he will not have any problems," said Pellegrini.

"Fabian Balbuena played on Monday for the under-23 team, 45 minutes without a problem, so both of them are available for selection."


Click here for more stories about Manuel Pellegrini

Click here for more stories about West Ham United

Share this article now:
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk pictured on February 9, 2019
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Lukaku, Van Dijk, Jimenez
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City30242479215874
2Liverpool30227168175173
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs30201957322561
4Arsenal30186663392460
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd30177658401858
6Chelsea29176650311957
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30128103836244
8Watford30127114244-243
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham30116133743-639
10Leicester CityLeicester30115143842-438
11Everton30107134142-137
12Bournemouth30114154154-1337
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3097142938-934
14Crystal Palace3096153641-533
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2996143242-1033
16Southampton3079143450-1630
17Burnley3086163457-2330
18Cardiff CityCardiff3084182757-3028
19Fulham3045212868-4017
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3035221553-3814

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account