January (1 post)

Capital One Cup: West Ham playing for pride against breathtaking Man City, says Niall Quinn

After losing the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final 6-0 at Man City, West Ham's players face a difficult task in preparing and playing in the return match on Tuesday night.

It's a dead rubber - and that's the kindest thing I can say about it on their behalf - but there is pride at stake and an opportunity to get more game time into players returning from injury, especially Andy Carroll.

Pellegrini: Has calmed the Man City dressing room, says Niall Quinn

Getting him on the pitch, whether he starts or comes on as sub, is important for the Upton Park side because the England man is going to be critical tofor them.

Instead, last season, under Roberto Mancini, there seemed to be issues every week at the training ground, players falling out and the manager's press conferences were uptight, with him demanding the club sign more players.

It all ended up with their season imploding and they handed the title back despite having all these new players.

Enter Pellegrini, who has come in and calmed everything down, he's put all the fires out and got everyone feeling easier and calmer about what they do.

The players at Man City are capable of wonderful play and they have now got the freedom to do that.

First and foremost that's what Pellegrini has got so right. It's now a lovely place to go training every day; there are no rows, no cliques, no factions and