Manuel Pellegrini is expecting his West Ham United side to face a tough test when they lock horns with Southampton on Saturday evening.
The Chilean, whose job is believed to be under intense scrutiny following a dismal season so far for the Hammers, addressed the media in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Pellegrini was quick to warn his men of the challenges that they will face against Southampton this weekend, and as quoted by the club’s official website, said:
I think that lots of teams in this league have had bad runs. [Southampton are a] good team with good players as all the other teams in the Premier League, and you must be very concentrated in defending and try to score as well.
They have good players and it will be a tough game.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Both clubs have been pretty terrible this season, and it’s hardly likely to be a classic under the lights at St Mary’s.
Saints are perhaps the slight favourites to come out on top after their back-to-back home wins in recent weeks, but West Ham have players who can make a difference in the final third.
Neither side can afford to be passive in this one; it is a must-win match for both teams, and more pertinently, both managers.
