Pablo Zabaleta says West Ham United are adapting to Manuel Pellegrini’s demand to ‘play with personality’ ahead of Saturday’s Premier League derby with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Argentinian knows his manager’s philosophy well, having benefited from it during Pellegrini’s three trophy-filled seasons at Manchester City.
The right-back believes the Hammers’ recent improvement is the result of the squad embracing the Chilean’s edict that they play with confidence and belief that they can beat any opponent.
The manager is trying to get us to play the same way every single game and for this you need personality
Pablo Zabaleta
“First, you need personality to play in the same way, whether you are at home or away, against any opponent,” Zabaleta told the Official Programme. “Just because we are playing against a top side, we will not sit back and defend, or if we’re playing away, we try to score goals only on the counter attack.
“The manager is trying to get us to play the same way every single game and for this you need personality from the players and the desire, determination and belief to go into every single game and play the way they want to play.”
Zabaleta and company will get their next opportunity to put Pellegrini’s plans into action at London Stadium on Saturday, when they host a Tottenham team managed by his former Espanyol teammate Mauricio Pochettino.
The No5 has not been surprised by the impact his compatriot has made in north London, but while he will likely exchange a warm handshake with Pochettino before kick-off, friend will become foe when the game gets underway.
“It’s a massive game,” Zabaleta confirmed. “We are playing at home and we cannot have two defeats in a row, so this is a good opportunity for us to react and perform well like we did in the last three games at home in league and cup.
“We need to get back to our best and get the three points.”
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